Five years have passed since King Emeritus Juan Carlos I, in a letter to his son Felipe VI, announced his move to Abu Dhabi. The decision was presented as a necessary measure to protect the monarchy from the fallout of his personal affairs. Today, following the release of his memoirs, “Reconciliation,” the prospect of the former monarch’s return to Spanish soil appears more real than ever. In his book, written at the age of 87, the father of the current king reflects on his democratic legacy and openly expresses a deep longing for his homeland, especially now as Spain marks the 50th anniversary of its parliamentary monarchy.
Although Juan Carlos’s recent visits to the country have centered on the Galician town of Sanxenxo, where he stayed with his close friend Pedro Campos, it is the capital that is being considered as his potential permanent residence. According to reports, a concrete offer is already on the table. During one of his discreet trips to Spain, less than three months ago, a close friend from his inner circle offered him a large estate in the suburbs of Madrid. This residence, located near the Zarzuela Palace, is equipped with the most advanced security systems, which would ensure complete privacy for the king emeritus should he decide to return.
Nevertheless, a potential return is fraught with numerous challenges and is far from a final decision. The last word is not his. It is reported that Juan Carlos does not wish to rush events, preferring to wait for the right moment that would suit both his son, King Felipe VI, and the current government. The authorities’ stance plays a key role in this sensitive issue. The offer of a residence remains on the table, but accepting it requires careful political and family diplomacy.
In his memoirs, the former head of state openly writes about his deep desire to return home. “I never imagined that five years later… I would still be in Abu Dhabi,” he laments. He describes days filled with “despondency and emptiness,” a life without a clear future and in constant uncertainty about what comes next. “Right now, I am far from my homeland, but my heart remains deeply tied to it,” he confesses in the book.
Meanwhile, rumors about other possible places of residence persisted throughout this time. At one point, Portugal was mentioned as his potential new home, given his close ties and friendships in the neighboring country. However, sources close to the royal family categorically denied this information. Speculation about a possible move to Switzerland, specifically Geneva—where he could be near his daughter, Infanta Cristina—became more insistent. The country’s favorable tax regime was also cited as a compelling argument. For now, however, all of this remains speculation. The only confirmed information is his continued stay in Abu Dhabi, where spending time with his grandson Froilán is his only solace in his longing for Spain.
Incidentally, Juan Carlos I was king of Spain from 1975 to 2014 and played a key role in the country’s transition from Franco’s dictatorship to democracy. His popularity began to wane in the later years of his reign due to a series of scandals, including a controversial elephant-hunting trip to Botswana and allegations of financial misconduct. In 2014, he abdicated the throne in favor of his son, Felipe VI. In August 2020, amid renewed investigations into his finances, Juan Carlos left Spain and settled in the United Arab Emirates, retaining the title of honorary king.
