It has revealed that King Juan Carlos, 81, has undergone surgery for skin cancer on his face; the operation took place in March. The former King of Spain was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma – a very common form of skin cancer that begins in the basal cells often after being exposed to too much sun.
He appeared in public on 22 March with bruising and a bandage near his left eye, and at that time, the King said, “I had to undergo a small operation.”
The surgery is believed to have been successful in removing the cancer cells according to palace sources.
Usually, those who have had basal cell carcinoma are required to have checkups every three to six months after their operation.
The news of the surgery first came from the Spanish journalist, Pilar Eyre who revealed it in his column. The Royal House (Casa Real) has not commented on the operation.
The King has been having different health troubles over the past few years. In 2010, he had a benign tumour removed from his right lung, and two years later, he fractured his hip in three locations which required surgery. He had another hip operation in September 2013. In April of last year, he had successful surgery on his right knee at the private Sanitas La Moraleja University Clinic in Madrid.
King Juan Carlos came to the throne after the regime of dictator Fransico Franco fell in 1975 after Franco’s death. Franco had made Juan Carlos a Prince of Spain, mentoring him to continue his government once he had passed. However, when Juan Carlos became King of Spain, he brought democracy back to the country after decades of Franco’s authoritarian regime.
King Juan Carlos was on the throne from 1975 until his abdication in favour of his only son, Felipe in June 2014. His son now reigns as King Felipe VI.
