King Felipe Marks Coup Attempt

King Felipe last week marked the 40th anniversary of the failed coup that almost derailed Spain’s nascent Democracy in 1981.

His Majesty presided over a small ceremony at the Congress of Deputies with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and other top officials.

_{King Felipe on the floor of the Spanish Congress with other top officials. Gunshot damage is still visible in the ceiling from the coup attempt. Spanish Royal Household}

King Felipe recalled his father, King Juan Carlos, being instrumental in putting down the coup. He called military leaders and, after delays, was able to make a televised address to call for respecting the new constitution.

The coup involved a Civil Guard officer, Antono Tejero, storming the Congress with a small crew and holding lawmakers hostage. Plotters also took over state television and were poised to begin taking over the country.

King Felipe was a child when the events happened. King Juan Carlos made sure he was present during some of the toughest moments so the then-heir would learn from the developments.

King Juan Carlos Pays Millions In Back Taxes

King Juan Carlos has paid more than 4 million euros in back taxes, according to his attorney, Spanish media outlets reported last week.

Don Juan Carlos has been working to regularize his status with tax authorities, particularly concerning transactions dating from 2014, when he abdicated the throne and lost his immunity.

_{King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia at the Spanish Congress in 2018. Spanish Royal Household}

The tax payments stem from free flights and other services King Juan Carlos enjoyed at the expense of his cousin, businessman Álvaro of Orleans.

King Addresses Father’s Misdeeds

King Felipe’s Christmas Eve message today, his most important of the year, was relatively short and simple, focusing mainly on the COVID-19 pandemic and ethical scandals.

Specifically, His Majesty addressed corruption allegations against his father, King Juan Carlos, who helped steer Spain from dictatorship to democracy in the 1970s.

King Felipe did not directly mention his father but he left no doubt what he was talking about. Don Felipe, among other steps, has resigned any financial ties and inheritance from his father.

“Together with our democratic principles and following the law, we must also preserve the ethical values that are at the root of our society,” said King Felipe.

The King’s speech this year was particularly simple. His background included Christmas declrations, one picture, flags and a copy of the Spanish Constitution.

Like years before, he encouraged Spaniards not to lose hope — this time amid the pandemic and its economic consequences.

Authorities Launch New Probes Into King Juan Carlos’ Finances

Spanish authorities have launched several probes into King Juan Carlos’ personal finances, according to media outlets.

Don Juan Carlos, the former head of state, left Spain for the United Arab Emirates this summer following pressure from his son, King Felipe, and goverment leaders.

Switzerland has long been looking into the movemenet of tens of millions of dollars connected to King Juan Carlos. Spanish authorities have are also investigating now that the monarch, who abdicated in 2014, is no longer immune from prosecution.

_{Queen Sofia watches as King Juan Carlos signs papers related to his abdication in 2014 at the Madrid Royal Palace. Spanish Royal Household}

The latest leaked investigation, first reported by El Mundo, centers around an offshore trust connected to Don Juan Carlos.

King Felipe this year announced he was resigning any inheritance from his father.

_{King Felipe during a recent event with Spain’s former prime ministers. Spanish Royal Household}

King Juan Carlos, who helped steer Spain to democracy, was once deeply popular, but failing health, rumors of financial improprieties and a high profile affair with a German businesswoman led to his downfall.

King Juan Carlos In The Middle East?

King Juan Carlos may have traveled to Abu Dhabi after announcing his decision to leave Spain last week amid a corruption investigation.

Sources initially said Don Juan Carlos, King Felipe’s father, may have traveled to the Dominican Republic to stay at Casa de Campo resort, which is owned by friends of the former head-of-state.

But more recent reports, including a picture, suggest King Felipe may be in Abu Dhabi. He is close with royals from around the Middle East.

jc1_nius — Image of King Juan Carlos exiting a jet on the BBC News website.

King Juan Carlos has not been indicted and was immune from prosecution during his time as monarch. But authorities in Spain and Switzerland are looking into tens of millions of dollars that may have been mishandled.

King Juan Carlos In Dominican Republic

King Juan Carlos is said to have left Spain for the Dominican Republic, according to several media outlets.

The Spanish Royal Household said yesterday that Don Juan Carlos would move out of Zarzuela Palace and abandon the country amid claims of financial irregularities.

reyg-d_hr — King Juan Carlos abdicated the Spanish throne in 2014. © Dany Virgili

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez today praised King Felipe for distancing himself from his father for the sake of the Crown.

Other left-leaning figiures, however, said Don Juan Carlos’ departure was akin to fleeing justice. His Majesty’s attorneys say he remains open to whatever officials may need.

King Felipe, meanwhile, continued with his agenda and has not commented on the crisis. He has resigned any inheritance from his father.

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King Juan Carlos may be staying in Casa de Campo, a Dominican resort owned by the wealthy Fanjul family.

BREAKING: King Juan Carlos To Abandon Spain

King Juan Carlos, the monarch who led Spain’s transition to democracy, will abandon the country, according to a letter to his son, King Felipe.

Authorities in Spain and Switzerland are investigating money King Juan Carlos is said to have received from the Saudi king.

Millions of dollars from Don Juan Carlos also ended up in the hands of Corinna Larsen, a businesswoman and socialite with whom King Juan Carlos had a close freindship.

abdicacion_sofia — Queen Sofia watches as King Juan Carlos signs papers related to his abdication in 2014 at the Madrid Royal Palace. Spanish Royal Household

King Juan Carlos was immune from prosecution but gave up his involability when he abdicated. The limits of his immunity during office are also in question.

Don Juan Carlos has not been indicted for any crimes and sources close to the former head-of-state say he did nothing illegal.

But King Felipe has formally resigned any inheritance from his father earlier this year. Don Felipe has also been under pressure to kick his father out of Zarzuela Palace.

Fun1 — King Juan Carlos with Queen Sofia. Spanish Royal Household

In the letter to his son, King Juan Carlos did not say where he was going, but said scrutiny into his private actions had contributed to his decision to leave.

King Juan Carlos was born in exile in Rome. He and his family engineered a return to Spain as a child. He then took over as monarch when dictator Francisco Franco died.

In 2014, amid financial crisis, scrutiny into his relationships and declining health, Don Juan Carlos abdicated the throne after almost 40 years.

King, Queen Launch Whirlwind Nationwide Tour

King Felipe and Queen Letizia have been crisscrossing Spain for the past several week during a delicate time for the country and the Royal Family.

Their Majesties worked to be active during the pandemic lockdown and have been visible during the reopening, including visiting several museums and cultural attractions.

prado_1 — King Felipe and Queen Letizia at the Prado Museum in Madrid to launch the Spain for Sure tourism campaign in June. Spanish Royal Household

They have also visited beaches and walked through numerous communities. Their visits have been informal and meant to connect them with regular people.

canarias_1 — The King and Queen in the Canary Islands. Spanish Royal Household

Spaniards, fed up with corruption, the Catalan crisis, recession and scandal, have taken out their frustrations on the governing class — including the Monarchy. Despite the Royal Family’s efforts, many people see them as not having done enough to fight COVID-19.

aragon_1 — The King and Queen in Aragon. Spanish Royal Household

Then there’s King Juan Carlos, who is embroiled in a financial scandal related to $100 million gift from the Saudis, some of which may have ended up in the hands of a former lover.

King Felipe has disconnected himself from his father financially and discussions are ongoing about the elder monarch’s status within the Royal Family.

Royals Release Christmas Cards

Members of the Spanish Royal Family released their Christmas cards ahead of today’s celebrations.

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The card from King Felipe, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia includes an image of the family in Asturias.

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The official visit, earlier this year, was seen as a debut for Leonor, the Princess of Asturias and heir to the Spanish throne.

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King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia released a card with a picture of themselves.

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Usually, the elder King and Queen release a cared with a Christmas-related image from an important work of art.

Royals Visible In Mallorca

Members of the Spanish Royal Family have been extremely visible during their vacations in Mallorca.

The goal is to defuse all the talk of controversy surrounding King Juan Carlos, and also move past the recent public tension between Queen Letizia and Queen Sofia.

Earlier this week, King Felipe and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez met at Marivent Palace in Palma de Mallorca, and later Queen Letizia and Sánchez’s wife María Begoña joined in for lunch.

The King also participated in the King’s Cup Regatta and awards ceremony, and held an evening gathering for local leaders at Almudaina Palace with Queen Letizia and Queen Sofia.

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Earlier this month, King Felipe, Queen Letizia and their daughters — Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia — posed for pictures at Almudaina Palace and greeted reporters.

Queen Sofia, Queen Letizia, the princess and the infanta visited walked around a market.

More family members, including Infanta Elena and Princess Irene, Queen Sofia’s sister, joined the royals for a concert.

Members of the Royal Family and other close relatives also had dinner out together, as has become tradition.

King Juan Carlos, meanwhile, remains away from official activities. He missed the inauguration of Colombia’s new president because of health reasons, outlets reported.