Ex-King Juan Carlos’s decision to attend the Queen’s funeral has sparked left-wing Republican fury in Spain.
Unidas Podemos spokesman Pablo Echenique said: ‘Inviting an on-the-run criminal to a state funeral shows you just what the monarchy is in the UK and in Spain.’
The other party in the coalition, the Socialist Party, said it would not comment on the King’s personal decisions but queried if the royal household would be happy.
The invite came from the Foreign Office and Spanish Embassy in London. The 84-year-old is a distant cousin of Elizabeth II.
El Mundo reported that Juan Carlos chose to leak news of his invitation and decision to go to the funeral to the media before the royal household found out.
The decision prompted speculation as to if Juan Carlos and Felipe would both attend.
But it was confirmed on Monday that Letizia, Juan Carlos, Felipe and Sofia would be going.
The invite came from the Foreign Office and Spanish Embassy in London. The 84-year-old is a distant cousin of Elizabeth II. El Mundo reported that Juan Carlos chose to leak news of his invitation and decision to go to the funeral to the media before the royal household found out
Juan Carlos is a scandalous figure in Spain and has chosen to live in exile in Abu Dhabi since August 2020 following several queries over his finances.
The former King abdicated in 2014 due to a separate public outcry involving marital infidelities.
The 84-year-old has been the subject of investigations in Spain due to reported financial irregularities.
But all charges against him were dropped in the last year because of a lack of evidence, immunity he experienced as head of state and the statute of limitations expiring.
Elsewhere, harassment accusations by his former lover Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn mean that he faces a trial in London, according to the Times.
Spain’s foreign minister publicly said that he does not object to Juan Carlos attending.
However, El Debate has said that Pedro Sanchez, the prime minster, and his adminstration, want to damage the image of Juan Carlos and distance him further from his son.
Juan Carlos is a scandalous figure in Spain and has chosen to live in exile in Abu Dhabi since August 2020 following several scandals over his finances
It has not been confirmed by the Spanish government if the cost of Juan Carlos’s flight to London will be covered by the state.
But it has been reported by Spanish media outlet El Debate that members of the Spanish government have been asking the royal household to stop him from coming.
It comes as the current monarch King Felipe, his son, continues to distance himself and the rest of the royal family from Juan Carlos.
He has not been seen in public with Juan Carlos for more than two years.
Due to his self-imposed exile, Juan Carlos has not returned to Spain since having one brief visit to a sailing regatta in Galicia.
The event prompted media interest which frustrated the royal household.
Juan Carlos also had a rebuke from Sanchez, who asked for him to explain his business dealings.
After the regatta, Juan Carlos has not had any other return to Spain and stayed out of the papers.
It comes as the current monarch King Felipe, his son, continues to distance himself and the rest of the royal family from Juan Carlos
However, after the Queen died, things changed as it was speculated as to whether he would attend the funeral.
It is claimed that Juan Carlos will go to London directly instead of Madrid first, according to El Pais.
The former monarch is also said to have organised his flights to and from England.
But the newspaper claimed that he has not ruled out doing the journey on a private jet which belongs to the Abu Dhabi royal family.
In his self-imposed exile, Juan Carlos is being hosted by the president of the UAE, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
It is claimed that Juan Carlos will only spend 24 hours in London but it is not clear if he will be with his son at the event.
The royal household has only said that instructions set by the organisers will be followed.
But it has been reported that Juan Carlos will not be next to his wife Sofia.
It is claimed that Juan Carlos will only spend 24 hours in London but it is not clear if he will be with his son at the event. Pictured: King Felipe and Queen Letizia
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