The recently published memoirs of honorary king Juan Carlos continue to spark heated debate in Spain. The book, first released in France, is filled with harsh assessments of members of the royal family. While the monarch criticizes his daughter-in-law, Queen Letizia, for causing family division, his former sons-in-law face even stronger rebuke. Jaime de Marichalar, the ex-husband of Infanta Elena, receives particularly severe criticism.
In his memoirs, Juan Carlos directly blames Marichalar for the scandalous behavior and “dissolute lifestyle” of their son, Froilán. According to the honorary king, it was specifically “the parents’ divorce and a certain lack of paternal authority” that led his eldest grandson into a series of troublesome incidents, ultimately resulting in his forced relocation to Abu Dhabi. This single statement leaves no doubt about the monarch’s extremely low opinion of his former son-in-law’s parenting methods.
After the book’s release and the disclosure of these unflattering passages, the public awaited a response. However, Froilán’s silence—and his choice not to publicly defend his father—was misinterpreted as evidence of a rift between them. Sources close to the family strongly deny such speculation. They insist that the bond between father and son is stronger than ever. “There was not only paternal authority and control, but also immense filial love. There are witnesses to this closeness,” Spanish media quote insiders as saying, underscoring the true nature of their relationship.
Jaime de Marichalar, now an adviser to fashion houses Loewe and Fendi, is focused on the career of his daughter Victoria Federica, whom he is successfully introducing to the world of luxury brands. They are often seen together, which creates a contrast with Froilán, who lives thousands of kilometers away under the supervision of his grandfather. However, this does not mean his relationship with his son has cooled. Their family history has not been easy: the official separation of Infanta Elena and Jaime in 2007 was preceded by the stroke he suffered in 2001. The countless scandals involving Froilán—from nightclub fights to altercations with weapons—have only worsened his already tarnished reputation and academic struggles.
Despite all the difficulties, Jaime de Marichalar and his entire family, staunch monarchists, have never abandoned Froilán and have always tried to steer him in the right direction. While photos of father and son together have become rare, in his few public comments, the former Duke of Lugo has consistently defended his son. For example, several years ago, he proudly stated that Froilán was “focused on his studies and doing well,” while acknowledging that his son is “more energetic and mischievous” than his sister, and adding, “thank God that’s the case.”
Jaime de Marichalar himself, true to form, remains silent in response to sharp remarks from his former father-in-law. He avoids public disputes, while Infanta Elena continues to demonstrate unwavering loyalty to her father. It seems unlikely he will comment on the controversial memoirs.
Froilán, on the other hand, turned out to be more talkative than his father. Initially, when caught by reporters at the airport after visiting his grandfather in Sanxenxo, he described the monarch’s praise as “pleasant,” adding that they “help each other, just like any relatives do.” However, later on, in a more intimate setting during a family lunch at the El Pardo palace in Madrid, his words became much more candid. The young man admitted he was “tired of living in Abu Dhabi,” feeling trapped in a small Persian Gulf country where he has “no way out.” His longing for family and friends is made worse by a job he finds “incredibly boring and bureaucratic.”
For the record, Felipe Juan Froilán de Todos los Santos de Marichalar y Borbón, widely known simply as Froilán, is the eldest child of Infanta Elena and Jaime de Marichalar. He is fourth in line to the Spanish throne, after his mother and his cousins, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía. Since childhood, his name has frequently appeared in the press due to rebellious behavior and various incidents. It was this string of scandals that ultimately led to his move to the United Arab Emirates, under the supervision of honorary King Juan Carlos I.
