King Juan Carlos has hosted a big family reunion as he continues his self imposed exile in Abu Dhabi.
The king, who left Spain in August 2020, has been visited by his two daughters, Infanta Elena and Infanta Cristina, and five of his eight grandchildren.
He posed for photos alongside Elena and her daughter, Victoria Federica, 21. They were joined by Cristina and her four children, Juan, 22, Pablo, 21, Miguel, 19 and 15 year old Irene.
It’s Cristina’s first big family holiday since she confirmed she was separating from her husband of 24 years, Inaki Urdangarin. They issued a statement announcing their marriage was over after he was photographed with another woman. Urdangarin was convicted of embezzlement and, in 2018, sentenced to almost six years in prison. He is currently on supervised release from jail.
Juan Carlos went into exile as investigations into allegations of financial impropriety mounted. He has always denied any wrongdoing. In recent months, several of the cases against him have been closed for good.
He was photographed with his daughters and grandchildren just weeks after sending an open letter to his son, King Felipe VI, in which he announced he planned to remain in Abu Dhabi although he hoped to return ”with frequency” to Spain, the country he ruled for almost forty years.
Spain’s Royal Family traditionally spends Easter in Mallorca and it’s understood Queen Sofia was there as Holy Week progressed.
