Spain is commemorating the 50th anniversary of dictator Francisco Franco’s death and the Bourbon restoration under King Juan Carlos I.
However, Don Juan Carlos — who has been living mostly in exile in the United Arab Emirates — was not invited to the formal events.
Those events included inducting Queen Sofia and other luminaries into the Order of the Golden Fleece with a Madrid
King Felipe, Queen Sofia, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia then headed to the Congress building for a discussion on Spain’s transition to democracy.
Dozens of family members of the Royal Family then held a private lunch at the Royal Palace of El Pardo that included King Juan Carlos.
The gathering was tense. King Juan Carlos has lashed out over being excluded from official events and has accused Queen Letizia of fomenting family divisions.
The former head-of-state also recently made positive comments about Franco that have overshadowed his role in leading Spain’s democratic transition.
LOS BORBONES 