“Reconciliación” (Reconciliation), the autobiographical book by honorary king Juan Carlos, has finally reached Spanish readers, a month after debuting in France. Although the juiciest details have already leaked to the press, the book immediately shot to the top of the sales charts. These memoirs, recorded by Franco-Venezuelan journalist Laurence Debray in Abu Dhabi, where the monarch lives in self-imposed exile, bring old controversies surrounding the royal family back into the spotlight—including the much-discussed incident between Queen Letizia and Doña Sofía at Palma Cathedral.
Initially, there were rumors that the former head of state would personally come to Madrid to present his book. However, that did not happen. Representing him at the event was his eldest daughter, Infanta Elena, accompanied by the book’s author and two of Juan Carlos I’s nieces—Simoneta Gomez-Acebo and María Zurita—who continue to display unwavering loyalty and affection towards him.
From the United Arab Emirates, Felipe VI’s father decided to support the publicity campaign for his memoirs by recording a video message, which, according to rumors, received a mixed reaction at Zarzuela Palace. Against the backdrop of the Spanish flag, the honorary king explains that he undertook writing his autobiography so that the parents of today’s youth can “remember historic moments” and learn about the nation’s past “without biased distortions.” He also called for support for his son “in this challenging work of uniting all Spaniards, so that Spain continues to play such a significant role in the world.”
Family support and presentation details
A modest ceremony to present Juan Carlos I’s memoirs took place at one of Madrid’s art galleries. The event highlighted the excellent rapport between Infanta Elena and Laurence Debray. Having met a few weeks ago in Sanxenxo, they posed together with smiles and the friendly demeanor of confidantes, each holding a copy of the book.
The eldest of the honorary kings, who declined to comment to the press, once again showed that she always stands by her father, even when his words in ‘Reconciliation’ portray other family members, such as her ex-husband Jaime de Marichalar, in a less-than-favorable light. Other notable guests, such as Inés Sastre and Susanna Griso, were also spotted at the event, but the presence of Simonetta Gómez-Acebo and María Zurita drew the most attention. Both nieces of the monarch came to support their cousin Elena and once again demonstrated their unwavering loyalty to the former head of state. The MasterChef Celebrity participant even told reporters, “It’s wonderful that he is telling his story and his truth.”
Author’s Commentary
The honorary king’s biographer proved to be much more forthcoming with the media, acting as his spokesperson. Laurence Debray expressed her satisfaction with how her book was received in Spain. “In France, it has already been very successful, and we hope that here in Spain, people will also read it and form their own opinions,” she noted.
The historian also emphasized that she worked on this high-profile work “without any pressure, far from bitterness or resentment, in harmony and trust.” Describing the process of creating the memoirs during Juan Carlos’s exile in Abu Dhabi, she said: “We spent two years sitting side by side. I listened and took notes; he corrected, weighed his words, changed the tone, being very diligent, strict, and serious.” The writer also defended her interlocutor, assuring that “Juan Carlos does not want to bother his son,” and called his much-discussed promo video “a fantastic message to young people, encouraging them to read the book.” The book, in her view, “tells the story of our country from his perspective, that of one of its main protagonists.”
For reference, Juan Carlos I was King of Spain from 1975 to 2014. He played a key role in the country’s transition from Franco’s dictatorship to democracy. His reign was marked by significant achievements, including Spain’s entry into NATO and the European Economic Community, as well as a series of scandals in recent years that led to his abdication in favor of his son, Felipe VI. Since August 2020, he has been living outside Spain, in Abu Dhabi.
