King Juan Carlos has shared his opinion of Diana, Princess of Wales in a controversial new memoir which is already causing a stir in Spain.
The former monarch has written of his life and reign in a book called ‘Reconciliation’ and it includes his views on Diana, who he knew well, and who he hosted at his home in Mallorca for summer holidays during her marriage to King Charles.
The views of Juan Carlos on Diana have surprised many. He calls her ”cold” and ‘aloof’ unless there were paparazzi present.
The man who ruled Spain for almost forty years says that Diana could be taciturn and hints that the presence of photographers was when she was at her best.
The relationship between Diana and Juan Carlos came under scrutiny when it was reported that they may have had an affair, a claim that Juan Carlos denies.
Diana spent several summer holidays at the Marivent Palace on Mallorca with Charles, William and Harry during the 1980s and the photocalls there became famous events. Some of the best known images of the princess were taken during those events.
The book, which hits bookshops in France next week before publication in Spain in the first days of December, also outlines Juan Carlos’ relationship with his son, King Felipe. The former monarch details the last conversation the two men had before he headed into exile in 2020.
Juan Carlos says that Felipe called him as he was already on his way out of Spain and asked him ”where are you going, boss?”.
And he hasn’t ruled out coming back to the country he reigned over between 1975 and 2014 when he abdicated in favour of Felipe. In the book, he says he wants ”above all, to return to Spain, to my home”.
He also hasn’t ruled out a stronger bond with Felipe VI who he says turned his shoulder on him out of obligation. He writes that he wants ”a harmonious relationship with my son”.
Whether a tell all memoir will achieve that remans to be seen.
