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ARCHIVED - Royal roulette: Controversy reigns over former Spanish king attending funeral of Queen Elizabeth II
Emeritus king Juan Carlos I plans to attend the state funeral, reportedly against the advice of the Spanish government
As the world prepares to say its final farewell to Queen Elizabeth II at her state funeral on September 19 at Westminster Abbey, all eyes in Spain are turned towards disgraced former king, Juan Carlos I, and speculation abounds about whether he’ll make the trip to London. The Queen, who died on September 8 at the age of 96, was cousin of the king emeritus, so there are family ties between the two dynasties, but many in the Spanish government are dubious about his presence at such an important event.
An invitation to attend the funeral was extended to Juan Carlos, along with his son and current king, Felipe VI. However, local media reports claim that Spanish government representatives have quietly asked the 84-year-old not to attend, given the current scandal he is embroiled in.
The former king abdicated the throne in 2014 amid an elephant hunting scandal involving his daughter’s husband. He has been living in Abu Dhabi for the past few years and only returned to Spain briefly this summer.
Controversy seems to follow Juan Carlos though, and he is now awaiting trial in the UK for the alleged harassment of his ex-lover, German businesswoman Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein. The emeritus king initially claimed Sovereign immunity from prosecution, but this was denied by the British High Court.
Dismissing the claims that Spain has any issue with Juan Carlos travelling to London for the funeral, foreign minister José Manuel Albares said: “Currently the head of state is Felipe VI and that means, like his father, he also represents the existing family ties between the two royal houses,” adding that the Spanish government hopes to nurture “the closest possible relationship” with the UK following the death of the Queen.
King Felipe IV and Queen Letizia have already confirmed that they will attend the funeral, with President Pedro Sánchez also expected in London. If the former monarch goes against the advice of the Spanish government, the Queen’s funeral will be his first royal event since his abdication.
Image: Archive
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