Juan Carlos, 82, the father of the current King of Spain Felipe, has informed his son that he will be leaving the country • He is under investigation for involvement in the high-speed train project in Saudi Arabia

• Former King of Spain Juan Carlos

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  AP

Following suspicions of corruption: Former King of Spain Juan Carlos will leave the country. The former king did not specify where he would move to or exactly when he would leave Spain.

The Spanish royal family said that 82-year-old Juan Carlos had informed his son, King Felipe, that he had decided to leave Spain. The decision comes following the opening of an investigation against Juan Carlos designed to test his involvement in a contract to build the high-speed railway line between Medina and Mecca.

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According to a Guardian report, Juan Carlos said "this is a very emotional decision", but he is taking this step "very calmly". He added: "I have been King of Spain for almost 40 years and have always wanted the best for Spain and the monarchy."