Former King Juan Carlos of Spain reunited with two of his grandchildren in London over the weekend. The 86-year-old, who reigned from 1975 until his abdication in 2014, was seen with granddaughter Irene Urdangarin, 19, and grandson Miguel, 22.
Juan Carlos looked sharp in a navy suit, white shirt, and emerald tie, while Irene wore a pinstripe grey blazer over a black shirt, and Miguel opted for a suit with a crimson tie.
Irene and Miguel are the children of Infanta Cristina, Juan Carlos’ younger daughter, and her former husband, Iñaki Urdangarin. Cristina and Iñaki, who share four children, finalized their divorce last December after separating in January 2022.
While Juan Carlos was in London, his son, King Felipe, faced a challenging situation in Valencia alongside Queen Letizia. The couple had been visiting areas severely impacted by recent catastrophic floods, which have claimed over 200 lives.
Accompanied by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, the royal couple traveled to some of the hardest-hit areas, but their visit was disrupted by frustrated locals hurling eggs and mud, primarily directed at the politicians over perceived inadequate government support.
Following their visit, a message shared on their social media expressed their intention to listen to affected residents, acknowledge emergency responders, and thank the civil protection and NGOs tirelessly working on relief efforts.
Despite the tension, many royal supporters shared positive comments, praising Felipe and Letizia’s empathy and resilience. One comment read, “While politicians flee, Their Majesties endure the mud and crowd’s anguish, offering solace to those in distress,” while another praised their dignified handling of the situation.
