Sanxenxo once again welcomes its most distinguished guest. Honorary King Juan Carlos I set foot on Spanish soil for the fifth time in 2025, once again choosing the hospitable Galician town as his temporary residence. These visits, now routine, have become a kind of ritual, allowing the former monarch to maintain his connection with his homeland and indulge in his lifelong passion—sailing.
The journey from Portuguese Cascais, where the monarch had been staying, was not entirely smooth. The private jet carrying Don Juan Carlos was forced to delay its departure due to adverse weather conditions. As a result, the plane landed not in Vigo as originally planned, but at the airport in A Coruña. At the runway, he was already awaited by his loyal friend and longtime organizer of his stays in Galicia—the president of the Real Club Náutico de Sanxenxo, Pedro Campos. Together with his wife, Cristina France, he will host the honorary guest at their home throughout the weekend.
The main purpose of this visit is to participate in the prestigious regatta bearing his name: “Regata Rey Juan Carlos I – El Corte Inglés Master.” However, this time, fans will not see him at the helm of the legendary “Bribón.” The faithful vessel is currently across the Atlantic in New York, where it is being prepared for the world championship. But the passion for the sea knows no bounds, and the honorary king will take to the waters of Ría de Pontevedra on another boat named “Erica,” ready once again to compete for victory.
In this maritime adventure, he will be accompanied by a reliable support group. By his side, as on many of his previous visits, will be Infanta Elena, who shares his passion for sailing. The monarch’s niece, Simoneta Gomez-Acebo, will also join them. The presence of these two women from his closest family circle is especially important for Don Juan Carlos. Additionally, French journalist Laurence Debray has arrived in Sanxenxo; since 2014, she has become a trusted confidante of the honorary king and even assisted him in working on his memoirs.
An intriguing detail of this visit was the almost coincidental geographical proximity to Queen Sofia. While Juan Carlos I was preparing for the regatta in La Coruña, his wife was just 77 kilometers away, in Ferrol. The honorary queen was performing an official duty—she became the godmother of the new frigate F-111 “Bonifaz” for the Spanish Navy. The ceremony took place with great pomp, attended by the prime minister and deputy prime minister, creating a sharp contrast with her husband’s private, almost family-like visit.
After the competitions, father and daughter will jointly take part in the award ceremony for the winners, which will be held at the yacht club. Afterwards, a new journey awaits them together: Infanta Elena will accompany Don Juan Carlos on his ten-day trip to New York, where he will be able to support the crew of his “Bribón” at the world championship.
