Ex-King of Spain Juan Carlos Attends Queen's Funeral with Son King Felipe and Queen Letizia amid Exile

Mar. 15, 2025

Former King of SpainJuan Carlosappeared atQueen Elizabeth’s state funeral on Monday.

Juan Carlos — who briefly reunited with his family in May after atwo-year self-imposed exileamid allegations of tax fraud and money laundering in 2020 — attended the service alongside his son, King Felipe VI and his wife, Queen Letizia.

The event marks the first time the former king has appeared alongside his son and daughter-in-law since he left Spain under a cloud of scandal. Juan Carlos, who was once revered for his role in Spain’s transition to democracy, abdicated in 2014 in favor of his son, who has since distanced himself from his father.

ThoughKing Felipeand Queen Letizia were there to officially represent Spain, Juan Carlos received a private invitation because he is related to the late monarch. BothQueen Elizabethand Juan Carlos were the great-great-grandchildren of Queen Victoria.

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Along with the Spanish royals, members of other European royal families including Denmark, Belgium and Monaco were in attendance at the Westminster Abbey service.

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King Charles,Queen Camillaand the rest of the family join the coffin’s procession, set to reachSt. George’s Chapelat Windsor Castle at about 3:52 p.m. More than 800 people are expected to attend the Queen’s committal service there, and the event will have a more intimate feel than the state funeral.

The guests present at Westminster Abbey will not follow for the ceremony at Windsor. Instead, the pews will be filled with some of the people who knew the Queen best: her personal staff and those who worked on her estates.

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Last week,King Charles IIIaddressed the U.K. for the first time after the Queendied at the age of 96on Sept, 8. Among the changes announced, Charles, 73, shared thatPrince WilliamandKate Middletonhad inherited the titles ofPrince and Princess of Wales.

Their three children — who are now thesecond, third and fourthin line to the throne — go from being Princes and Princess of Cambridge to beingPrinces and Princess of Wales. Therefore, they are nowPrince Georgeof Wales,Princess Charlotteof Wales andPrince Louisof Wales.

source: people.com