Spain’s controversial former king Juan Carlos is expected at the airport in the north-west Spanish city of Vigo shortly after 7 p.m. on Thursday evening. That’s what his friend and host, entrepreneur Pedro Campos, said on state TV broadcaster RTVE.
Spain’s controversial former king Juan Carlos is expected at the airport in the north-west Spanish city of Vigo shortly after 7 p.m. on Thursday evening. That’s what his friend and host, entrepreneur Pedro Campos, said on state TV broadcaster RTVE.
The 84-year-old is already on board a private jet on his way from exile in Abu Dhabi to Spain. The old king’s first home visit in almost two years was the main topic in the Spanish media on Thursday.
Campos spoke to RTVE from where he lives, in the port city of Sanxenxo. There, about 45 minutes by car north of Vigo, a regatta will take place at the weekend, in which the ex-monarch may take part. The boat “Bribón” with which Juan Carlos became world champion in 2019 is located in Sanxenxo.
Unsteady on his feet
“Whether Juan Carlos takes part in the regatta also depends on the weather,” said Campos. With too much wind and waves it would be unlikely. In any case, the ex-monarch would then be on an escort ship. Videos show that Juan Carlos is very unsteady on his feet – sometimes walking with a stick or having to be supported.
A meeting with his son, King Felipe VI, and his wife Sofía (83) and other members of his family is only planned for Monday, the royal family announced. Immediately afterwards, Juan Carlos will fly back to Abu Dhabi on Monday.
Juan Carlos initially left his homeland on August 4, 2020 for an unknown destination. He later showed up in Abu Dhabi. At the beginning of March, after all criminal investigations into financial irregularities had been dropped, he announced that he wanted to stay in exile for the time being, but would soon be making sporadic visits to his homeland.
