The most awaited return has come true. King Juan Carlos has been at the Zarzuela Palace enjoying a family lunch after two years of absence.
The father of King Felipe VI met with some members of his family before returning to Abu Dhabi where he has decided to take up permanent and stable residence.
The Royal Household has issued a statement giving details of the emeritus’ visit to the Royal Palace and of those who attended the family lunch.
The highlight of the statement is that Queen Emeritus Sofia of Grecia has not been able to share with her husband as she tested positive for covid-19 on her return from Miami.
Who met with King Juan Carlos in Zarzuela?
At the meeting were present King Felipe, Queen Letizia, her daughter the Infanta Sofia, the sister of the King of Spain the Infanta Elena and their children Juan Froilan and Victoria Federica, Margarita de Borbon and Carlos Zurita were also present. The lunch was marked by the absence of the Infanta Cristina and Princess Leonor, who is studying in Wales.
In the statement it was reported that Queen Sofia has not been present during the lunch but she has remained with the rest of the family in the hall with all the relevant biosecurity measures.
“Juan Carlos have had an extensive time of conversation about family matters as well as about different events and their consequences in the Spanish society since the King’s father decided to move to Abu Dhabi on August 3, 2020,” the statement reads.
Late on Monday afternoon, Juan Carlos set off on his return trip to Abu Dhabi in a private plane. According to the Spanish press, it seems that the emeritus king would be returning to Spain in a few weeks.