Juan Carlos I of Spain

King of Spain from 1975 to 2014

Juan Carlos I (Spanish: [xwaŋˈkaɾlos],[1] 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 of Spain
A photograph of Juan Carlos aged 75
Juan Carlos I in 2013
King of Spain
Reign22 November 1975 – 19 June 2014
Enthronement27 November 1975
PredecessorFrancisco Franco (as Caudillo)
Alfonso XIII (as King)
SuccessorFelipe VI
Born (1938-01-05) 5 January 1938 (age 87)
Rome, Italy
Spouse
(m. 1962)
Issue
Full name
Juan Carlos Alfonso Víctor María de Borbón y Borbón-Dos Sicilias
HouseBourbon
FatherInfante Juan, Count of Barcelona
MotherPrincess María de las Mercedes of Bourbon-Two Sicilies
ReligionCatholic
SignatureJuan Carlos I of Spain's signature
EducationComplutense University of Madrid

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 Botswana. 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

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  • 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

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  1. In other languages of Spain, the name of the King Juan Carlos is adapted as: