On Thursday, June 1, 2023, King Juan Carlos attended the royal wedding of Prince Hussein of Jordan and architect Rajwa Al Saif.
While the focus of the evening was undoubtedly on the bride and groom, reporters present at the ceremony site couldn’t help but capture one of the most remarkable photos of the celebration.
The emeritus King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia traveled to Amman, the capital of Jordan, representing the Spanish royal house, as King Felipe and Queen Letizia decided not to attend this significant event.
It is well-known that the 85-year-old monarch faces mobility challenges, but it was surprising to see him arrive in a wheelchair.
King Juan Carlos in a wheelchair
After exchanging greetings with King Rania and King Abdullah, the grandfather of Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia made his way into the palace, where the ceremony was to take place.
Inside the palace, King Juan Carlos had to use a wheelchair to navigate the aisle leading to the hall where the wedding was being held—a moment captured by the cameras of the photographers from the Hashemite Royal Court.
As they awaited the bride’s arrival, which was delayed by a few minutes, King Felipe’s parents engaged in animated conversation with Queen Maxima of the Netherlands.
This is not the first time that the Spanish king has appeared in a wheelchair, but it is the first instance without a known cause.
The last time he required such assistance was in 2018 following surgery on his right knee.
The reunion between Juan Carlos and Sofia also drew much attention from the press. The couple had not been seen together publicly since the funeral of Queen Sofia’s brother, King Constantine of Greece, last January.