Maximum Surprise in Galicia After What Has Happened with Juan Carlos I | en.edatv.news, Europa Press, Getty Images de Karen Goncalves LIFESTYLE U-turn After What Happened with King Juan Carlos in Galicia: Absolute SurpriseThe Emeritus Surprises by Receiving Greetings and Cheers from Children and Neighbors Despite Criticism Following His Return to Spain25/04/2025 14:23:00h by Cándido Casares The arrival of King Juan Carlos I in Galicia has caused great media attention it was expected that the emeritus monarch would focus on his passion for sailing and reuniting with his closest circle this morning there was a moment of absolute surprise that represents a 180° shift in the perception of the former monarch While heading to sail with his friend Pedro Campos the emeritus was greeted with unexpected enthusiasm by a group of children This gesture was joined by other greetings and applause from local people during his previous outings from the residence A reception that contrasts with his presence in previous years leading many to wonder: are we witnessing a progressive reconciliation or is it a one-time phenomenon although without making official statements about the issues that still surround him the media spotlight has been especially intense due to the recent controversy surrounding Corinna Larsen and Miguel Ángel Revilla there are still those who welcome him with affection Juan Carlos I reunited with the waters of the Ría de Pontevedra aboard the Bribón He captained alongside his friend Pedro Campos a constant presence in this stage of his life marked by the presence of media and neighbors alert to his arrival While skirting the breakwater of the Sanxenxo marina The Bribón crossed paths with six small sailboats carrying about 60 children from the Sanxenxo Nautical School The scene was as spontaneous as it was emotional: the children Children Greet Juan Carlos Enthusiastically in Sanxenxo | Europa PressThis gesture marked a clear contrast with the initial reactions he received on previous visits when there was more talk of reproaches and tensions many see him as a regular neighbor returning to his happy place The affection shown by the children and neighbors in Sanxenxo can't be separated from the symbolic place the emeritus king holds in the collective memory of many Spaniards where he has forged a close relationship with the maritime community his appearances evoke more tenderness than controversy Some observers point out that this transformation in public reception could be linked to a certain "normalization" of his presence He is no longer seen as a figure exclusively associated with scandal but as a historical character trying to regain some of his former everyday life The Residents of Sanxenxo Show a Change in Perception of King Juan Carlos | Europa PressThis doesn't mean that the debate has dissipated, but at least in Sanxenxo, the tone seems to be changing with King Juan Carlos there are applause and children's voices greeting him naturally Could this be the beginning of a kinder phase in his relationship with part of Spanish society The 6 Metre class has already declared its new European champions which kicked off on 30th September to dispute the continental title in Sanxenxo King Juan Carlos on board “Bribon” claimed their fourth consecutive title in the Classics division and Finnish team Henrik Andersin’s “Oiva” were crowned in the Open division. As predicted in the forecast the arrival of a new storm on the Galician coast saw Sanxenxo starting the day with rain and strong gusts of wind of up to 30 knots throughout the morning With a prediction of extreme conditions throughout the day the Race Committee made the definitive decision at 10:45h to cancel the last programmed race of the event.A total of seven out of the eight programmed races were held a true success for the organization following a week of competition with wind conditions proving a challenge for all involved.A fourth consecutive European title for King Juan Carlos’ “Bribon” in the Classics divisionLeaders from day one of racing the team were able to maintain their position kicked off the Trofeo Xacobeo on Monday with their first partial victory; immediately placing them as the first leaders on the board; a position they were able to maintain up until the end “We always head out on the water with the aim to be at the top and to stay consistent We have the advantage of being a particularly competitive boat in all wind conditions and I think that is key in championships held over several days.” explained Roi Álvarez crew member on board “Bribon”.Jane Abascal added,“We have had quite a difficult week I think that the committee made the right decisions with the races, only risking when it was necessary. We are really happy with our victory, and having been able to revalidate the title again, because we have had several rivals that were pushing back right from the start such as `Titia´ `Aida´ and especially `Astree III´”.In total King Juan Carlos’s crew had two partial wins one fourth and an eighth place which they were able to discard enabling them to claim the title of the European Championships and the Trofeo Xacobeo in the classics division with a one-point advantage over their maximum rival Finnish team Ossi Paija’s “Astree III.” Behind them the podium was completed by another team sailing for the Real Club Náutico de Sanxenxo (RCNS) Mauricio Sánchez-Bella’s “Titia” a regular competitor in the National league held every month in the Salnés.Henrik Andersin’s“Oiva” winners in the Open divisionThe Open division was an even closer competition Three different teams were leading the championship at different moments during the week: American team Basil Vasiliou’s “Jane Ann” Swiss team Muller Rainer’s “Junior” – drawn even with Violeta Álvarez’s “Stella” and Finnish team Henrik Andersin’s “Oiva.”After a discreet start Andersin’s team gradually moved up the leaderboard and went into the lead on Friday having finished second and third in the last two races of the week With these results and discarding their seventh place from the day before,“Oiva” were able to claim the definitive leadership of the competition on Saturday following the annulment of the last race due to the extreme conditions in the region.For the Finnish team it is their first title, “It’s incredible so I am extremely happy,” commented Andersin. “We have a fantastic crew and I think the organization did a very good job with the challenging weather We think the boat is good with any kind of wind conditions it is very balanced, and it is a new boat which we have been sailing for a year and a half and we now know how it responds,” he added.Behind them just four points separated the second place from the eleventh reflecting the extremely high level of the fleet in the racecourse in the Ria de Pontevedra.The second place finally went to British team Jeremy Thorp’s “Battlecry” and third to Swiss team “Junior”.Prizegiving, a final touch to the event in the Real Club Náutico de SanxenxoWith the competition concluded for the RCNS on Saturday night the closing dinner will be held at 20:00h with prizes being awarded to the winners of the Trofeo Xacobeo and the new European champions of the class. The official act will be attended by King Juan Carlos, the infant Doña Elena Justice and Sports) for the Xunta de Galicia parliament representative for tourism; Telmo Martín President of the Real Federación Gallega de Vela director commander of the Escuela Naval de Marín Principal Captain of the ‘Cofradía’ (lit guild) director of the Mancomunidade del Salnés FINAL RESULTS ClassicsPosition/Country/Boat/Skipper/Points1 30 puntos OpenPosition/Country/Boat/Skipper/Points1 Trofeo Xacobeo 6M Europeans 2024https://6meuropeans2024.com/ plus all the latest on yachting regattas and offshore adventures around the world SEARCHThe global authority in superyachting The 49-metre Benetti motor yacht Tumberry C ran aground near Carabuxeira beach, Sanxenxo, in the northwest Spanish town of Pontevedra on 17 December.  According to social media accounts, the yacht suffered an engine room leak, which caused her to start sinking at the bow. Prompt action from maritime teams including Nauta Sanxenxo, Real Club Náutico de Sanxenxo, Salvamento Marítimo, Emergencies, and the Civil Guard prevented the vessel from sinking.  The authorities then decided to beach the vessel a few metres from the pier, near Carabuxeira beach, where they managed to plug the leak. She is currently docked at Juan Carlos I port’s gas station awaiting interior repairs. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Salvage and wreck (@salvage_and_wreck) She can accommodate up to 10 guests in five cabins According to BOATPro, she has spent the last four months at Nauta Sanxenxo Marina.  Latest news, brokerage headlines and yacht exclusives, every weekday SubscribeSign up to our newslettersSign up to BOAT International email newsletters to get the latest superyacht news Boat International Media Ltd © 2008 - 2025 Content presented under the "BOAT Presents" logo is an advertising feature and Boat International Limited has been paid to include this content Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pepe Vieira (@pepe.vieira) Raxó. Camiño da Serpe s/n986 74 13 78Menús degustación: 102, 135 y 165 €Alta cocina / contemporánea Portonovo. Rafael Pico, 56620 25 25 74Carta: 20-90 €Taberna / Wine Bar View this post on Instagram A post shared by Restaurante Sabino (@restaurante.sabino) Located a few meters from Silgar beach in Sanxenxo, this restaurant with a long family tradition offers a cuisine based on the Galician culinary tradition, but still adapted to the new gastronomic times. And everything revolves around the product -especially Galician-. Proposals such as hake cocochas in green sauce, seafood paella and rice with lobster, suckling veal shank or marinated sardines, the latter of their most recent creations. Sanxenxo. Calle Ourense 3986 72 34 00 Carta: 50 €Tradicional View this post on Instagram A post shared by Arrocería Sunset A Lanzada (@arrocerialanzada) A rice grill located in a privileged enclave. A meeting point for local cuisine, using only top quality ingredients. The environment makes it ideal for both disconnecting and relaxing while contemplating the sea, and enjoying cocktails in the Sunset area. Its specialty is rice dishes, but you can also try excellent fish and seafood from the estuary, as well as juicy meats cooked on their embers. O Grove. Carretera San Vicente, 10 B, A Lanzada986 738 400Carta: 40-65 €Arroces / Española View this post on Instagram A post shared by Meloxeira Praia (@meloxeirapraia) Meloxeira, the tavern opened in Porto Meloxo by Álvaro Fuentes in 2013, moved in 2022 to Área da Cruz, in San Vicente do Mar (peninsula within the town of O Grove), changing, in part, the proposal to settle in a beachfront beach bar (right here, the chef’s family ran a business for two decades). Fideuá of cuttlefish, seafood rice, bivalves in the iron skillet, grilled recipes and some reminiscences of the recipes of the Galician fusion cuisine of his previous project. O Grove. Carretera San Vicente do Mar 1100647 56 12 85Carta: 25-45 €Actual / Chiringuito View this post on Instagram A post shared by Restaurante Casa Solla (@restaurantecasasolla) Poio. Avenida Sineiro, 7986 87 28 84Menú degustación: 108 y 140 €Alta cocina / Contemporánea View this post on Instagram A post shared by Restaurante Culler de pau (@cullerdepau) Here they perfectly interpret the territory so that the diner feels the land through the products that come from it A gastronomic journey that begins in a privileged place and gastronomic proposals that create ‘taste experiences’ and seek to awaken the senses and connect them with emotions There is no shortage of products from the sea Reboredo 73986 73 22 75 Menú Descuberta: 170 € The Royal Family Prepares to Announce Important News About Juan Carlos I | en.edatv.news, Europa Press LIFESTYLE Happiness: The Royal Family Can Finally Announce Juan Carlos I's Big NewsThe Emeritus is already in Spain he has resumed his plans with friends in Sanxenxo and looks more vital than ever after his arrival24/04/2025 12:22:00h by Cándido Casares The Spanish Royal Family can finally announce the great news that has been desired for a long time: Juan Carlos I is already in Spain the former monarch has already enjoyed his first outing with his lifelong friends in Sanxenxo This reunion shows his great happiness at being able to share these great moments in his homeland the emeritus king wanted to show that he is still in shape despite his 87 years What plans does he have now that he has returned Juan Carlos I's Happiness in His Return to Sanxenxo with His Close Friends | Europa PressThe Royal Family Can Finally Announce That Juan Carlos I Has Returned to SpainJuan Carlos I's return is neither casual nor improvised It occurs in the countdown to the round anniversary of his proclamation as king in 1975 especially in a year in which he has also initiated legal actions against those he considers have damaged his honor: Miguel Ángel Revilla and Corinna Larsen Close sources claim that Juan Carlos is "obsessed" with the legacy he will leave and he seeks to clean his image before his definitive farewell arrives is significant: he not only wants to enjoy Spain again but he also intends to reaffirm his role in the country's recent history After landing in Vigo and resting at his friend Pedro Campos's house Juan Carlos reappeared in the afternoon with his characteristic energy He was seen leaving the house heading to the D Berto restaurant The venue opened its doors exclusively for Juan Carlos I and his guests ensuring absolute privacy at a time of maximum media expectation There he reunited with familiar faces from his trusted circle including Vicente Dalmau or Marqués de Murrieta Juan Carlos I's reappearance in Sanxenxo has been commented on for his physical appearance much has been said about the deterioration in his health and his mobility issues at 87 years old the emeritus gave the impression of being "in full shape." He was seen walking with the help of a cane but what caught the most attention was his attitude He greeted the press waiting outside with a wave and Juan Carlos I Returns to Spain and Reappears with a Smile | Europa PressThis attitude undoubtedly reflects how happy Juan Carlos I is to be back in Spain and to be able to share time with his loyal friends and where he is already preparing for another of his great pleasures: the regattas Everything indicates that Juan Carlos I is already counting the hours to reunite with the sea his intention is to attend the Sanxenxo Yacht Club next weekend where preparations for the regatta training are already underway An environment where he has always felt free The expectation is high among the neighbors and club members His presence not only reaffirms his bond with Galicia but also his desire to continue participating in activities that connect him with an essential part of his life The return of Juan Carlos I to Spain has been celebrated with emotion and significance by the Royal Family and his close ones surrounded by friends and with a genuine smile Could this visit be the first step toward a vindication of his historical figure Infanta Elena Has Surprised with Her Gesture | en.edatv.news, Europa Press LIFESTYLE U-turn in the Royal House: Infanta Elena Makes a Firm Decision Regarding Juan Carlos IThe daughter of the emeritus king hasn't hesitated to take an important step that makes her stance clear in his controversies27/04/2025 14:00:00h by María Merino Royal Household has encountered an unexpected situation that disrupts the prevailing tranquility None other than with an unexpected determination from Infanta Elena with her father She has decided to meet with him in Sanxenxo despite the controversies he is involved in This is something that causes the monarchy and the Royal Family to be back in the spotlight because he has returned to Spain amid controversy defying criticism and once again placing the monarchy in a delicate position The presence of the emeritus in Sanxenxo was already generating significant buzz the arrival of Infanta Elena in Galicia has added even more anticipation to the situation at a time when many expected prudence and silence she has preferred to publicly show her support for him The sister of Felipe VI has not hesitated to travel to that Galician town to enjoy sailing competitions with her father An activity he continues to engage in despite his mobility issues and which has become his personal refuge during his visits to Spain The image of both together has not gone unnoticed but her presence has been interpreted as a public show of support for her father generates debate about the division in the Royal Family regarding the figure of the emeritus King This gesture by Infanta Elena is by no means anecdotal It is a move that once again highlights the different stances within the Royal Household regarding Juan Carlos I Her decision not only adds pressure to the institution but can also have consequences at the level of public image In a context where Felipe VI has worked to modernize and clean the institution of past scandals these kinds of gestures represent an additional challenge It is not the first time Elena has shown her unconditional support for her father Since the controversies surrounding the former monarch began family ties are above any media or judicial controversy Infanta Elena and her father are enjoying some days together | Europa PressMeanwhile Juan Carlos I appears relaxed and satisfied during his stay in Galicia a way to keep feeling active and connected to one of his great passions his visits to Sanxenxo continue to be warmly received by the local community there is absolute silence about this new visit and about Infanta Elena's stance A strategy they have followed on other occasions trying to keep family controversies that could affect the current monarch at bay The truth is that this U-turn once again places the Spanish monarchy in an uncomfortable position When it seemed that the waters were stabilizing after years of turmoil the figure of the emeritus and the public support of his eldest daughter once again draw media attention Infanta's visit to Juan Carlos I in Sanxenxo confirms what many already suspected: that she remains firm in her support A gesture that will undoubtedly mark a new chapter in the always complicated recent history of the Spanish Royal Household This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Juan Carlos is promised a warm welcome by mayor on visit to boating competition in Galicia Spain’s self-exiled former king, Juan Carlos, who abandoned the country almost three years ago after a series of damaging financial allegations that further tarnished his diminished reputation is due to make a trip home to take part in a sailing regatta this week who retains the title rey emérito (king emeritus) However, Juan Carlos is due back in Spain on Wednesday to participate – as he did last year – in a sailing competition in Sanxenxo in the north-western region of Galicia said the ex-king would be given a warm welcome “We’re always delighted when the king decides to come to Sanxenxo – which he often does – but we’d still like to see him more often,” said the mayor The reception from Spain’s Socialist-led coalition government was somewhat cooler Asked last week about Juan Carlos’s return said it had no comment to make on “a private visit” and “a personal decision” The former king was pictured emerging from a nightclub in London on Monday evening and it thought to be attending Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final between Chelsea and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge Despite being credited with helping Spain return to democracy after the death of the dictator Francisco Franco in 1975, Juan Carlos abdicated in favour of his son, Felipe, amid plummeting popularity in 2014. In recent years his battered legacy has been further dented by a string of personal and financial scandals Pictures of Juan Carlos posing in front of a dead elephant while on safari in Botswana in 2012 did not impress many Spaniards as the country continued to reel from the 2008 economic crisis In March 2020, King Felipe stripped his father of his annual stipend and renounced his own personal inheritance from Juan Carlos after reports that he was in line to receive millions of euros from a secret offshore fund with ties to Saudi Arabia According to a statement released by the royal family at the time neither King Felipe nor his household had any knowledge participation or responsibility in the alleged events The statement also included a note from the former king stating he had never told his son that he was the beneficiary of the fund Three months later, Spain’s supreme court began investigating the former king’s role in a deal in which a Spanish consortium landed a €6.7bn (£5.9bn) contract to build a high-speed rail line between the Saudi cities of Medina and Mecca Free weekly newsletterThe most pressing stories and debates for Europeans – from identity to economics to the environment The investigations were shelved last year because of a lack of evidence Juan Carlos’s sovereign immunity and the fact he had paid tax authorities more than €5m But his legal issues are far from over. The ex-king’s former lover, the Danish businesswoman Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, has brought action against him at the high court in London, claiming he used Spain’s spy agency to target and harass her and her children after their five-year relationship ended Sayn-Wittgenstein is seeking damages for the “great mental pain humiliation and moral stigma she has suffered” Lawyers for the former monarch have rejected the claims and any allegations of wrongdoing “in the strongest terms” This is the summer to skip Spain’s crowded costas and busy cities and head for its quiet and lovely mountains, countryside and coast• Quiet regions of Italy and France The Spanish tourist industry collapsed virtually overnight when the government declared a state of emergency on 14 March But now most hotels and restaurants are open with limited capacity and social distancing The country is keener than ever to welcome visitors and there’s plenty of scope for a relaxing holiday in these less-visited regions a sculpture garden on the Umia estuary where the Galician artist has installed a collection of his enormous artworks in steel and stone Galician food is simple: classic fish and shellfish Harbourside A Meca on gorgeous Arousa island does a textbook pulpo a feira the signature octopus with olive oil and paprika Not least of the pleasures of the Rias are the aromatic albariño wines Medieval reminders in Peratallada Photograph: AlamyThe loosely defined but proudly Catalan region of Empordà stretching to the French border north of Girona has a well-upholstered rural beauty and is often compared to Tuscany Matarraña Photograph: Nature World/AlamyArriving in Matarraña feels like stumbling on a piece of genuine wilderness Valleys lined with olive groves and pines give way to high limestone peaks an hour’s drive from the coast and three from Barcelona is watered by the fast-flowing Matarraña river swimming and a spectacular (but easy) hike along the Parrizal gorge with its teetering cliffs and turquoise river-pools With little traffic, getting around by car is a pleasure. Memorable drives include the single-track road out of La Portellada towards the village of Ráfales. At restaurant La Alquería in Ráfales José Antonio Higueras and Clara Lapuente will fix you a lunch of almond soup and Aragonese lamb (Their little hotel above the restaurant is also recommended: doubles from €89 B&B.) Wildlife abounds in this sparsely inhabited region. Look out for rare ibex goats, and don’t miss the daily vulture feeding frenzy at bird observatory Mas de Bunyol In August 2020 former king Juan Carlos took up residence in Abu Dhabi with the intention of returning periodically to Spain but the complicated judicial situation in which he was immersed prevented him from doing so with the three cases being studied in the Supreme Court having been shelved that the Emeritus King fulfilled his wish to return to Spanish soil when he took part in the Sanxenxo sailing regatta in Galicia Juan Carlos I is preparing to return to Spain And the chosen destination will again be Sanxenxo He is returning to compete with the Bribón crew in the Spanish Cup in the six-metre class And this time the former king is not expected to conclude his trip with a family lunch at the Zarzuela palace is keeping quiet about Don Juan Carlos' visit to Spain to the point that it advised him not to travel in mid-May so that his stay would not coincide with the election campaign for the municipal and regional elections on 28 May Felipe VI's father will make a stop in London where he will meet King Charles III at a private lunch This meeting is due to the strong friendship and family ties that unite the current King of England with Don Juan Carlos it was at the funeral for Queen Elizabeth II that the first public meeting between King Philip and his father took place Felipe announced he was renouncing his inheritance from Don Juan Carlos and at the same time withdrew the allowance the former king had been receiving from the Crown until then Reports of the emeritus' hidden fortune led the King to cut off his father in order to try to put a firewall between the scandals of Juan Carlos I and the Royal Family Comentar es una ventaja exclusiva para registrados The Madrid firm Paredes Pedrosa has won the idea competition for Plaza del Mar Carme Pinós and Emilio Tuñón came in second and third titled ‘Batea en tierra,’ includes the harbor master’s building and puts a linear pergola over the existing shops A landscaped embankment on the Plaza de los Barcos side negotiates the ground level change and links up the urban courses adding a passage for vehicles serving the fishing port a square volume with transparent facades and a combination of wood there arent any match using your search terms Juan Carlos I has gone to Switzerland to visit his doctor | en.e-noticies.cat, Europa Press, kavalenkavadesign PEOPLE Concern for King Juan Carlos After What Happened During His Getaway to SwitzerlandA Last-Minute Update Emerges Related to King Juan Carlos I That Raises Alarms About His Situation14/03/2025 12:13:00h by Beatriz Paricio King Juan Carlos I has raised all alarms and increased concern after his latest trip to Switzerland The emeritus was scheduled to travel yesterday Juan Carlos has been forced not to travel to Galicia due to his delicate health condition Felipe's father will not be able to be present at the start of the Spanish 6-Meter League he will have to stay in Switzerland to undergo medical tests This latest development has caused great anxiety about the true state of Juan Carlos I's health King Juan Carlos hasn't been able to travel to Sanxenxo | TwitterKing Juan Carlos I Raises Alarms in SwitzerlandYesterday, Thursday, King Juan Carlos I was expected to land in Galicia to participate next weekend in the Sanxenxo regattas the emeritus would travel from Switzerland to Galicia after visiting his doctor this trip to Geneva did not go as expected and Felipe's father has been forced to make a decision What has increased concern is knowing that Juan Carlos has canceled his trip to Sanxenxo after visiting his doctor in Switzerland The reason for his withdrawal was a medical recommendation to stay in Geneva and undergo new tests This sudden change has caused anxiety both in his close circle and in public opinion Doctors Prohibit Juan Carlos from Traveling to Galicia and He Stays in Switzerland | Europa PressThe emeritus king was scheduled to participate in a sailing competition in Sanxenxo an event that has always been significant for him it has been confirmed that he has been forced to remain in Switzerland Juan Carlos I is undergoing periodic medical check-ups that are essential for his well-being King Juan Carlos I's health has been a recurring topic in recent years, especially since his departure from Spain. In recent months, he has been dealing with various complications that have limited his mobility and activities Concern about his true condition has intensified due to this latest development as it highlights the delicacy of his situation Everything was ready for King Juan Carlos I's arrival in Sanxenxo In addition to participating in the regattas this trip was to be his first visit to Spain in 2025 but his sudden cancellation has been an unexpected blow The emeritus had expressed his enthusiasm for returning to Sanxenxo and had prepared to meet with friends and acquaintances his plans have been altered by a medical recommendation that has forced him to stay in Geneva It is known that he has been dealing with various medical complications over the past few months, but his condition remains reserved. Nevertheless, there is evident concern about his health that has prompted a reaction from his family The decision to remain in Switzerland has been made by Juan Carlos's medical team some have interpreted this unexpected turn as a sign that concerns about his health are more serious than expected since he could not travel to Sanxenxo on Thursday as he will have to remain in Switzerland throughout the weekend   NEW ON FACEBOOK! 📲 Click here to receive the hottest royal and celebrity news directly to your Facebook, for FREE and EXCLUSIVE! Don't miss out! The impact of this unexpected turn has been evident and rumors about the emeritus king's health condition have multiplied Everyone wonders if his health limitations will make it impossible for him to return to Spain as has happened now Uncertainty continues to reign around his situation but the truth is that his decision not to travel to Sanxenxo has left a significant mark Former king Juan Carlos I left Spain Tuesday following an almost week-long visit his second since going into self-imposed exile in Abu Dhabi over a string of financial scandals the trip was very low-key compared with his first visit last year which sparked much criticism especially from left-wing parties which demanded accountability for his role in a string of financial scandals The 85-year-old former Spanish head-of-state — who served as monarch between 1975 and 2014 when he abdicated in favour of his son King Felipe VI — left in a private jet from Vitoria airport in the northern Basque Country at around 1100 GMT He had flown into Vigo in the northwestern Galicia region on Wednesday where he spent several days at Sanxenxo where his yacht “El Bribon” — Spanish for “The Rascal” — was competing in a weekend regatta Although he joined several training sessions on Thursday and Friday the former monarch was unable to take part in the regatta due to bad weather he travelled to Vitoria in the Basque Country where he had several medical appointments before flying out on Tuesday A key figure in Spain’s transition to democracy following the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975 Juan Carlos abdicated in 2014 following a string of scandals over his finances and love life with investigators pursuing three separate probes into his finances he went into voluntary exile in August 2020 saying he wanted to prevent his personal affairs from undermining his son’s reign Although they were shelved in March 2022 due to lack of evidence the statute of limitations and his immunity while head of state prosecutors did acknowledge “fiscal irregularities” in his affairs When he returned last May on his first visit since leaving Juan Carlos made no effort to avoid the spotlight irritating Spain’s left-wing government which said he had “wasted an opportunity” to explain his behaviour and “apologise” to the public But the former monarch had dismissed the idea out of hand What about?” he snapped when quizzed by reporters not engaging with the media and only leaving the place he was staying to go to the Sanxenxo sailing club With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives Image: ©AFPUS President Donald Trump said Sunday he was ordering new tariffs on all films made outside the United States Oil prices slumped on Monday after eight OPEC+ members announced a sharp increase in production Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth on Monday ordered at least a 20 percent reduction in the number of active-duty four-star generals and admirals one Rome tailor has been making the white cassock new popes don immediately after election.