Juan Carlos laughing and Letizia furious. The awkward reunion of the kings of Spain at the funeral of Isabel II – Celebrities

Buckingham Palace protocol placed Juan Carlos, Sofia, Letizia and Felipe side by side, ignoring the tension and unease that exists between the two couples and causing a mini diplomatic crisis in Spain. The Kings Emeritus and the current Kings of Spain were seated side by side in Westminster Abbey, at the funeral ceremonies of Queen Elizabeth II. The meeting between the two couples has not taken place, at least publicly, since January 29, 2020, at the funeral of Infanta Pilar, sister of the King Emeritus.

And as if this embarrassment were not enough, in this video it is possible to see the monarch emeritus commenting something with his wife and laughing, being immediately fulminated with a furious look from Letizia. It is also possible to see the uncomfortable air of King Felipe VI.

This trip to London also marks the reunion between King Juan Carlos and his wife, Queen Sofia. The Kings Emeritus are a couple on paper only, as they have been living separate lives for several years. Juan Carlos has lived in the United Arab Emirates since August 2020, having only returned to Spain last May to attend a regatta in Galicia.

The Kings Emeritus Sofia and Juan Carlos upon arrival at the reception hosted by King Carlos III on Sunday 18 September

credits: DR

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The Spanish royal house only became aware of this reunion when it was happening live, and in front of millions of viewers. Cited by “El Pais”, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, who was also part of the delegation, explained what happened. “The representation of Spain today here in London is made by the head of state, who is Felipe VI, together with the Queen, accompanied by me as a member of the government”, explained José Manuel Albares. The minister also stressed that the invitation to the kings emeritus was made “in a personal capacity” and that the “roles are well defined”. King Juan Carlos, 84, shares blood ties with Queen Elizabeth II, as they are both great-grandchildren of Queen Victoria. Interestingly, so are their spouses, Queen Sofia and Prince Philip, who died in April 2021.

King Juan Carlos left the country after several years of scandals and investigations into alleged accounts in tax havens. Juan Carlos abdicated the throne in 2014, giving way to his son Felipe. A decision precipitated by a series of events that shamed the Spanish crown, such as a luxurious elephant hunt in Botswana in 2012, organized by the king’s alleged mistress, Corinna Larsen, when the country was going through a serious financial crisis.