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Spain

Queen Sofia to miss historic event for the sake of King Juan Carlos

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain

Queen Sofia will miss the moment her granddaughter, Princess Leonor, makes an historic promise because her husband, King Juan Carlos, won’t be there.

On the day that Leonor, Princess of Asturias, turns 18, will swear allegiance to the Constitution of Spain in the country’s parliament.

Juan Carlos will be in Madrid on the day, October 31st 2023, but won’t be at the solemn event. It’s understood there were concerns his presence might overshadow his granddaughter’s important pledge.

As a result, Queen Sofia has decided not to attend so that there is no difference between them and how they are treated on such an important day.

King Juan Carlos was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Constitution which brought democracy to Spain. However, a string of scandals led to the former monarch choosing to go into self imposed exile in 2020. He now lives in Abu Dhabi but returns occasionally to Spain.

The formal confirmation that Queen Sofia wouldn’t attend this historic event came just hours after she broke down in public at an emotional event in which she oversaw the installation of Emilio Lora-Tamayo to an honorary university post.

Princess Leonor has been heir to the throne of Spain since the abdication of Juan Carlos and the accession of her father, Felipe VI, in June 2014.

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About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.