King Juan Carlos is back: this is how his first hours in Spain are

The King Juan Carlos it’s here. Last Thursday, May 19, it was 7:13 PM when a Gulfstream G700 aircraft began landing maneuver at Peinador Airport in Vigo. An arrival marked by huge expectations, as it had been almost two years since the former monarch set foot on Spanish soil, since August 2020, the date on which he went into exile in the United Arab Emirates. Ahead of him is a weekend full of plans, emotions and most of that will take place in Galicia. This Friday it has already moved to Sanxenxo to participate in the regattas, where great anticipation awaited him. His visit to Madrid will also not be missing, where his son Felipe VI will be waiting for him in Zarzuela, to whom he gave the national crown on June 18, 2014 and who has all the while tried to defend the weakened image of the Royal House, advocates for transparency. What awaits the emeritus from now on? We have all the keys.

A sunny day and only a cloud (that of photographers) awaited Juan Carlos I in the city of Pontevedra. Dressed in red pants, a regatta polo shirt and a vest, the monarch has proven mobility issues by having to walk carefully and relying on his cane. Accompanied by friends and by the infanta Elena, who has not been separated from her father since her country, he took a mass bath to hear the cry of Long live the king!

When the plane had completed its landing maneuver and the doors opened, a full Juan Carlos could be seen, satisfied and somewhat excited. His good friend was waiting for him at the foot of the track Pedro Campos, his wife Cristina and Elena de Borbon, the eldest daughter of the monarch. Together with the latter she melted into an emotional hug. All eyes were on the king’s every move, who was able to get down from the plane alone, unaided and with no apparent mobility issues to get into his relatives’ car. From the airport they headed for Nanín, about 60 kilometers (half an hour by car), where Campos has the parental home – a large chalet – where Doña Sofia’s husband will spend the night until at least next Sunday.

It is an honor for Pedro to host the emeritus: “They came to tell us that he lived in an impressive mansion of thousands of square meters. My house is the same as always and for us it is an honor to receive Don Juan Carlos,” he said these days ago. This house is very close to the town of Sanxenxo in Pontevedra, where Juan Carlos I was able to participate in the regattas being held this weekend and of which he has always been a big fan, as long as his health allows.

It wasn’t long before he tasted his beloved Spanish gastronomy again. He did it through a dinner with his friends in which he tasted some of the most exquisite products from the Galician estuaries, washed down with a good wine, all in a great family and intimate atmosphere, as reported by pride† That same Friday, he is expected to appear at the Yacht Club chaired by Pedro Campos. It will be days of a lot of activity and emotions for him, without losing sight of the fact that he is expected to travel to Madrid next Monday to -who knows- see each other again with his wife, who he has been with for more than 700 days. who he doesn’t see and to whom he was married for 60 years a few days ago.