The former king of Spain, Juan Carlos I, claims that he went into exile in 2020 to protect his son, King Felipe VI, from scandals.

Juan Carlos I, the former king of Spain, stated in an interview with Le Figaro that he chose to go into exile in the United Arab Emirates in 2020 to "help" his son, King Felipe VI, in the context of corruption suspicions surrounding him. The king, who ruled Spain from 1975, was a respected figure for his role in the transition to democracy, but his popularity has drastically declined due to personal scandals and an extravagant lifestyle. Juan Carlos abdicated in 2014, and his relationship with his son has deteriorated since then.

In the interview, he explained that he sought a place where Spanish journalists could not easily find him, mentioning an incident in which a journalist was arrested. The former monarch also discussed the judicial investigations that targeted him, most of which were classified due to the statute of limitations. In his memoirs, which will be published on November 5, he defends his contribution to Spanish democracy and justifies the awarding of the Golden Fleece to Nicolas Sarkozy.