King Juan Carlos of Spain, the man credited with steering his country towards democracy after the death of the dictator Francisco Franco in 1975, is to abdicate.
The announcement was made by Spain's prime minister Mariano Rajoy.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The 76-year-old king will be replaced by his son, Felipe.
According to the BBC, Juan Carlos was long seen as "one of the world's most popular monarchs".
Juan Carlos became king on November 22, 1975, two days after the death of Franco, who had named him as his successor.
Over the subsequent months, the king quickly dismantled the institutions of Francoism – a move which made him a constitutional monarch under a newly democratic system. In 1981, Juan Carlos stood firm against a military coup, which, according to The Times, "won him international respect – and the adoration of his people".
Rajoy said that Juan Carlos had been a "tireless defender of our interests".
The king's popularity "dipped" in recent years, The Guardian says, after his reputation was diminished by a spate of scandals. In 2012, during the height of the financial crisis, Juan Carlos took a lavish elephant-hunting trip to Botswana. And in February this year his youngest daughter, Princess Cristina, became the first member of the royal family to appear in court as a suspect in a criminal case. Her husband is currently under investigation for embezzlement.
A poll in January found that two thirds of Spanish people believed that abdication was the best option for the king. It also found that the same percentage had a "good" opinion of Prince Felipe.
-
The best dark romance books to gingerly embrace right nowThe Week Recommends Steamy romances with a dark twist are gaining popularity with readers
-
The ocean is getting more acidic — and harming sharks’ teethUnder the Radar ‘There is a corrosion effect on sharks’ teeth,’ a study’s author said
-
6 exquisite homes for skiersFeature Featuring a Scandinavian-style retreat in Southern California and a Utah abode with a designated ski room
-
Panama and Canada are negotiating over a crucial copper mineIn the Spotlight Panama is set to make a final decision on the mine this summer
-
Why Greenland’s natural resources are nearly impossible to mineThe Explainer The country’s natural landscape makes the task extremely difficult
-
Iran cuts internet as protests escalateSpeed Reada Government buildings across the country have been set on fire
-
US nabs ‘shadow’ tanker claimed by RussiaSpeed Read The ship was one of two vessels seized by the US military
-
How Bulgaria’s government fell amid mass protestsThe Explainer The country’s prime minister resigned as part of the fallout
-
Femicide: Italy’s newest crimeThe Explainer Landmark law to criminalise murder of a woman as an ‘act of hatred’ or ‘subjugation’ but critics say Italy is still deeply patriarchal
-
Brazil’s Bolsonaro behind bars after appeals run outSpeed Read He will serve 27 years in prison
-
Americans traveling abroad face renewed criticism in the Trump eraThe Explainer Some of Trump’s behavior has Americans being questioned
