The Royal Household has remained silent. Once again, it has chosen not to react to a personal decision by King Emeritus Juan Carlos I. This time, it is an especially sensitive matter: the publication of his autobiography.
For years, the Royal Household has kept the same stance regarding the private activities of Felipe VI's father: not to intervene or comment. This time, there will also be no institutional reaction. In Zarzuela, they rule out any comment or position regarding the publication of the book.
The title of the work is Reconciliación, and it will be published by Planeta at the end of this year. The news, officially announced this Monday, has already caused a major stir.
Wounded by criticism, the emeritus defends himself in a revealing book
Juan Carlos has decided that the time has come to tell his side of the story. The account, written in his own hand, has been taking shape for years. According to those closest to him, the emeritus monarch began writing shortly after his departure to Abu Dhabi, driven by a sense of isolation.
Loneliness, boredom, and the distance from Spain acted as catalysts for this personal project. According to those around him, it is a very intimate account. There, from afar, he began to shape his memories and experiences, now collected in this volume.
True to his character, he never asked for permission to start this project, and he hasn't done so to publish it either. Those close to him make it clear: "Is he going to do it now?" they reply when asked if he consulted Felipe VI.
Years writing in silence, now Juan Carlos I publishes his truth
The work will undoubtedly be a publishing event. At Planeta, they describe it as a historic event, since Juan Carlos I is the first modern king to publish his memoirs during his lifetime. Before him, only Edward VIII of England did something similar.
The content of the book will not be solely narrative. Reconciliación will include personal photographs, unpublished documents, and memories from an entire life. The material was gathered with the help of his daughters, who brought him albums, tickets, postcards, and other key mementos to the Emirates for his account.
The project has had the essential collaboration of French journalist Laurence Debray, author of the biography My Fallen King. Debray has been a key figure in shaping the manuscript editorially. In addition to helping him structure his texts, she has provided narrative perspective to many episodes.
The autobiography covers his entire career, from his arrival in Spain after his family's exile to his final departure in 2020. The emeritus king recounts, from his point of view, the key moments of his life and reign. It includes personal reflections and unknown anecdotes that, according to sources close to him, show his need to "vindicate himself."
It is not just a historical review; it is also a settling of scores. Juan Carlos I felt attacked and without public defense, which led him to take this step. He believes he has been the victim of a smear campaign without response.
In fact, he has already initiated legal actions in defense of his honor. He has sued public figures such as former president Miguel Ángel Revilla, and it is not ruled out that he may take further action. The publication of the book, in this context, takes on even greater significance.
Juan Carlos I knows that Reconciliación will cause controversy, but he is not concerned. He doesn't seek approval, only to leave his version of events. For him, this book is his personal legacy.
His memoirs speak not only of the king, but also of the man. There are chapters dedicated to his childhood, his passions, his mistakes, and also his achievements. The volume attempts to offer a complete portrait, without embellishment, but also not without defense.
The editorial and media interest is undeniable. At a time when the figure of the emeritus monarch continues to be the subject of debate, his first-person testimony is an absolute novelty. A document of historical, political, and human value.
The Royal Household keeps its institutional silence
Meanwhile, from Zarzuela, the official stance is clear: silence. No comments or assessments about the content of the book. An attitude that doesn't surprise, but that speaks to the complex balance the institution tries to keep.
Felipe VI has chosen institutional distance for years. He doesn't intervene in his father's decisions or actions. The Royal Household avoids taking a position on what they consider "private decisions" of the emeritus.
The publication of Reconciliación will likely mark a turning point in the narrative about Juan Carlos I's reign. Although there is no official reaction from the Royal Household, it is inevitable that the book will have consequences in the public debate.