Juan Carlos I of Spain

King of Spain from 1975 to 2014

Juan Carlos I (Spanish: [xwaŋˈkaɾlos],[3] full name: Juan Carlos Alfonso Víctor María de Borbón y Borbón-Dos Sicilias, born 5 January 1938) is a member of the Spanish royal family. He was the King of Spain from 1975 until his abdication in 2014. In Spain, since his abdication, Juan Carlos has usually been referred to as the Rey Emérito ('King Emeritus').

Juan Carlos I
Juan Carlos in 2009
King of Spain
Reign20 November 1975 — 19 June 2014
Enthronement27 November 1975
Predecessor
SuccessorFelipe VI
Prime Ministers
Born (1938-01-05) 5 January 1938 (age 86)
Rome, Italy
SpouseSophia of Greece and Denmark
Issue
Full name
  • Spanish: Juan Carlos Alfonso Víctor María de Borbón y Borbón-Dos Sicilias
See list
  • Portuguese: João Carlos Afonso Victor Maria de Bourbon e Bourbon-Duas Sicílias
  • French: Jean Charles Alphonse Victor Marie de Bourbon et Bourbon-Deux-Siciles
  • Italian: Giovanni Carlo Alfonso Vincitore Maria di Borbone e Borbone-Due Sicilie
  • Dutch: Jan Karel Alfons Victor Maria van Bourbon en Bourbon-Two Sicilies
  • English: John Charles Alfonso Victor Maria of Bourbon and Bourbon-Two Sicilies
  • Greek: Χουάν Κάρλος Αλφόνσο Βίκτορ Μαρία Bourbon και Bourbon-Two Sicilies, romanizedChouán Kárlos Alfónso Víktor María ton Bourbon kai Bourbon-Two Sicilies
  • Russian: Хуан Карлос Альфонсо Виктор Мария Бурбон и Бурбон-Обеих Сицилий, romanized: Khuan Karlos Al'fonso Viktor Mariya Burbon i Burbon-Obeikh Sitsiliy
HouseBourbon-Anjou[1]
FatherInfante Juan, Count of Barcelona
MotherMaría de las Mercedes of the Two Sicilies
ReligionRoman Catholicism
SignatureJuan Carlos I's signature
AllegianceSpain
Service/branchSpanish Army
Spanish Air Force
Spanish Navy
Years of service1962–1975[2]
RankCaptain general (See list)

During most of his 39-year reign, he was very popular. When he became king in 1975, he transformed Spain from dictatorship to democracy this made people consider him the champion of democracy. He was a popular king and was considered Spain's hero and savoir. He ruled effectively and that the Spanish people loved him. He made Spain more modern and improved relations with many countries. The Spaniards would always experience prosperity.

However in 2012, Juan Carlos' popularity started to decline as posted a photo of him hunting with an elephant in Bostwana. During this time, many Spaniards were struggling to make ends meet and when Juan Carlos posted this photo, his popularity started to decline. He also had a sex relationship with Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, his former mistress. One of the Spanish royal family members was also involved in a crime. All of this made him unpopular and he eventually abdicated the throne two years later in 2014 in favor of his son, Crown Prince Felipe who became king Felipe VI. In 2020, Juan Carlos fled the country and is now living in Abu Dhabi in the UAE.

Titles and styles change

 
Royal Standard as King of Spain
  • 5 January 1938 – 21 July 1969: His Royal Highness The Infante Juan Carlos of Spain
  • 15 January 1941 – 22 November 1975: His Royal Highness The Prince of Asturias
  • 21 July 1969 – 22 November 1975: His Royal Highness The Prince of Spain
  • 22 November 1975 – 18 June 2014: His Majesty The King of Spain
  • 18 June 2014 – : His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain

References change

  1. The English-language version of the Official Royal Family website is rendered as Borbon, while in Spanish it is Borbón
  2. End of active service.
  3. In other languages of Spain, the name of the King Juan Carlos is adapted as: