Infanta Elena has received a cold shower upon realizing the situation her son Froilán is facing in the Middle East. An international turn of events has revived old family concerns that, until recently, seemed to be under control.
While Spain remains unaware of certain external dynamics, a new source of tension in the Middle East has set off alarms in Zarzuela. Infanta Elena couldn't avoid feeling concerned: her son Froilán and her father, King Juan Carlos, reside in Abu Dhabi, a strategic area very close to the epicenter of the conflict. What exactly has happened to cause anxiety to resurface?
Infanta Elena, concerned after discovering Froilán's situation in the Middle East
The geopolitical conflict between the United States and Iran isn't new, but its recent escalation has crossed military borders to reach environments such as the royal family. According to reports, Infanta Elena has shown concern about what could happen to her father and her son in the United Arab Emirates.
Although Abu Dhabi isn't part of the hostilities, its location in the Persian Gulf makes it a key point in any escalation of tension. The possibility of an airspace closure or diplomatic restrictions has led Elena to reconsider the real risks of having two family members there.
For this reason, what has happened with Froilán in the Middle East has been a cold shower for Infanta Elena. After months of apparent calm, her eldest son finds himself in a delicate position.
Froilán moved to Abu Dhabi after his much-discussed time in Madrid, marked by nightlife, controversies, and a lack of clear professional direction. There, he found the refuge he needed. Supported by his grandfather and away from the media spotlight, he seemed to have started a period of personal stability.
However, the new context has changed the outlook. The possibility of being trapped in a sensitive area, without ease of movement or even with air restrictions, has set off all the the alarm. Not only in Zarzuela, but also among his friends and his mother, who doesn't hide her growing concern for her son's immediate future.
Froilán visits Spain during the conflict
In May, Froilán briefly returned to Spain to attend an intimate wedding in Cádiz. His visit was as quiet as it was striking: no statements, no official photos, no media presence. Only a brief stay in which he appeared calmer than usual.
As the weeks have passed, that trip has taken on a new meaning. Sources close to the family say they used those days to talk about the international situation and its possible consequences. According to those same sources, a change of residence hasn't been considered yet, but it isn't ruled out if the situation worsens.
For now, Froilán remains in Abu Dhabi. He is focused on his tasks and keeps daily contact with his grandfather. He has made routine his shield, although the global context is beginning to crack the calm he worked so hard to build.
King Juan Carlos may be considering a change of residence
The case of King Juan Carlos I adds a more delicate nuance to this story. Although he has made occasional visits to Switzerland or Sanxenxo, his official residence is still Abu Dhabi. This is no coincidence: the emeritus king needs to spend a minimum number of days per year in the Emirates to keep his tax status.
The issue is complicated by his health condition. As the magazine Mujerhoy recently revealed, King Juan Carlos's physical deterioration is increasingly evident. "Juan Carlos I no longer walks," it headlined bluntly, adding that he is experiencing critical episodes that also affect his daughters, Elena and Cristina.
Both try to visit or call him frequently, but the feeling of physical distance, aggravated by the geopolitical conflict, is taking a toll on his spirits. The possibility that Abu Dhabi may cease to be a safe place is at the center of their family conversations.
Amid this uncertainty, rumors have begun to circulate about a possible move of the emeritus king to Portugal. This option would allow him to be closer to his usual environment, without the legal or tax inconveniences that a full return to Spain would entail.
It is undeniable that the situation in the Middle East has shaken the emotional foundations of Infanta Elena, who is concerned about Froilán and King Juan Carlos. Although no decisions have been made for now, the family environment moves between caution and preparation for the unpredictable. The future of her loved ones seems to depend, more than ever, on the movements of an increasingly uncertain world.