Juan Carlos in Abu Dhabi: UAE Welcomes Dishonoured King of Spain

Fenced in scandals, Spain’s former king crossed the boundaries of his country to seek shelter in some other nation. His whereabouts had become a crucial question, when it was revealed that Juan Carlos is in Abu Dhabi, since leaving Spain on board a private jet.

The 81-year-old left the monarchy in a shock, as he sent a letter to his son, King Felipe VI, stating that he would “move, at this time, outside of Spain”. On August 3, 2020, the letter was published by the royal house of Spain, the day when the former King boarded a private plane.

En route from Paris, the aircraft stopped in the Spanish city of Vigo on Monday morning, to pick Juan Carlos for Abu Dhabi. According to the Spanish daily ABC, he was accompanied by four security guards and one other person on the seven-hour long flight. Upon his arrival at the Al Bateen airport in Abu Dhabi, Carlos and his attendants boarded a helicopter to reach the luxurious Emirates Palace Hotel.

Juan Carlos’ decision was viewed as a way to dodge the mounting corruption allegations, which grew around his financial arrangements that stained the reputation of the monarchy. In June this year, an investigation was opened by the Supreme court of Spain into the alleged involvement of Juan Carlos in Saudi Arabia via a high-speed rail contract. He reportedly received millions of euros from offshore fund in links with the Arab Kingdom.

The scandals had led to another such decision in 2014, when Carlos had stepped down from the throne after 40 years and passed on the King’s crown to his son Felipe. Back then, he came under a probe for his involvement in the controversial elephant hunting during the financial crisis of Spain.

Earlier, Portuguese media had reported that Spain’s former king was in Portuguese Riviera, where he had spent a part of his childhood. However, on August 7, it was reported that Juan Carlos is in Abu Dhabi, where he is believed to have settled in the Emirates Palace.

The State-owned hotel is known to have hosted another foreign politician in 2015, Pierre Maudet from France, who’s reputation is painted with nothing but scandals. It was estimated that the suite, in which Carlos has settled, can cost €11,000 ($12,800) for a night.

Although there has been no confirmation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the report, it is not unbelievable to see Juan Carlos in Abu Dhabi. The Emirates has prominently been involved with, and associated to, several individuals and entities that are alleged or proven guilty of corrupt acts.