Disgraced former Spanish king Juan Carlos I to publish memoirs next year

JUAN Carlos, the disgraced and exiled former king of Spain, has announced he will publish his memoirs next year, vowing to “explain my mistakes and bad decisions” made during his time as head of state.

The 500-page book will be titled Reconciliationreferring to Juan Carlos’s role in Spain’s transformation into a democracy following the death of fascist dictator General Franco in 1975. It is to be published by the French publisher Stock.

The former monarch, 86, said he was forced to give his version of events, claiming “my story was being stolen” as several biographies were published detailing alleged affairs and financial scandals.

Juan Carlos abdicated in 2014 amid criticism for an elephant safari and a fraud scandal involving his daughter, Infantina Cristina. He has lived in exile in Abu Dhabi since 2020 after a series of investigations into suspected corruption.

Announcing the news, Juan Carlos said: “My father (Count of Barcelona, ​​Juan de Borbon) always advised me not to write memoirs. Kings do not confess. Much less publicly.”

“Their secrets are buried in the shadows of palaces. Why not listen to him today? Why did I finally change my mind? I feel like my story is being stolen from me.”

News of the memoir, which is set to hit shelves next year, is likely to come as a concern to the current king and Juan Carlos’ son, Felipe VI, who has won wide acclaim for steering the Spanish monarchy through controversy.