King Juan Carlos Postpones Second Return Trip to Spain

Spain's former king has postponed his second return back to his country. King Juan Carlos returned to Spain last month for a brief, five day visit following his self-imposed exile in the United Arab Emirates. He now permanently resides in Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE.

Spanish news agency EFE first reported that Juan Carlos was planing to return again this month on June 10, but postponed for "private reasons." No further explanation was given. One news site reports that Juan Carlos's visit was postponed due to the "media circus" that surrounded his previous visit, and another suggested that it was his son King Felipe who asked him to rethink his plans to return.

When he visited, Juan Carlos reunited with his son King Felipe for the first time in two years and had a "long conversation about family issues as well as about different events and their consequences on Spanish society since the King's father decided to move to Abu Dhabi on August 3, 2020," per the Royal Household of Spain.

Mayor Telmo Gonzalez of Sanxenxo—where the regatta that Juan Carlos competed in last month was held—previously suggested that the former king may return for another regatta in June. Reportedly, Juan Carlos wanted to return to defend his regatta title.

In a statement from the Spanish royal family, the palace said Juan Carlos stated "his desire to establish his permanent and stable place of residence in Abu Dhabi for personal reasons; and secondly, his decision to organize his personal life and his place of residence in areas of a private nature, both during his visits and if in the future he were to reside in Spain again, to continue enjoying as private as possible."

It is unclear whether King Juan Carlos will return during the first week in July for another regatta in Sanxenxo.

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