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There is said to have been largely silence between King Felipe of Spain and his father Juan Carlos for years.
However, at a joint public appearance, the two now seemed surprisingly familiar.
Windsor – The reign of Juan Carlos I (86) was marked by numerous scandals.
Extramarital love affairs, controversial big game hunts in Africa and, last but not least, the bribery scandal involving his son-in-law ultimately led the Spanish monarch to hand over the throne to his son Felipe (56) in 2014 and to flee into exile.
Since then, the relationship between the two kings has been extremely tense.
A joint public appearance by the Spanish royals, in which Juan Carlos and Felipe appeared surprisingly familiar, seemed all the more surprising.
Felipe of Spain supports his weakened father Juan Carlos in front of the cameras
A number of high-ranking European nobles recently gathered at Windsor Castle at a memorial service for Constantine of Greece (1940-2023), who died last year.
In addition to the Spanish royal couple Felipe and Letizia (51), Queen Camilla (76) and King Emeritus Juan Carlos were also guests.
Even before the service began, the Spanish royals were chatting animatedly, as can be seen in the film footage.
After mass, Felipe supported his father, who was dependent on a walking stick, as he left the chapel.
This conciliatory gesture caused numerous reactions, especially in Spain, because in the past the relationship between father and son usually seemed quite cold during public appearances.
The joint appearance of Felipe and Juan Carlos gives hope for a reconciliation
As Gala,
among others
, reported in an article on the subject, Felipe's gesture during the funeral service represents an absolute innovation compared to his other behavior towards Juan Carlos. In past appearances, the weakened ex-king always had to rely on his bodyguard, for example at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth (1926-2022) in September 2022.
There is said to have been mostly radio silence between King Felipe of Spain and his father Juan Carlos for years.
However, at a joint public appearance, the two now seemed surprisingly familiar.
© IMAGO / i Images & IMAGO / PPE
The Spanish government had even asked the disgraced monarch to stay away from the British Queen's funeral, but Juan Carlos resisted the request.
The fact that father and son left the chapel side by side this time gives many Spaniards hope for an early reconciliation between Felipe and Juan Carlos.
Meanwhile in Norway there is great concern about the sick King Harald.
Sources used:
Imago, Gala