King Juan Carlos has shared his opinion of Diana, Princess of
Wales in a controversial new memoir which is already causing a stir
in Spain.
The former monarch has written of his life and reign in a book
called ‘Reconciliation’ and it includes his views on Diana, who he
knew well, and who he hosted at his home in Mallorca for summer
holidays during her marriage to King Charles.
The views of Juan Carlos on Diana have surprised many. He calls
her ”cold” and ‘aloof’ unless there were paparazzi present.
The man who ruled Spain for almost forty years says that Diana
could be taciturn and hints that the presence of photographers was
when she was at her best.
The relationship between Diana and Juan Carlos came under
scrutiny when it was reported that they may have had an affair, a
claim that Juan Carlos denies.
Diana spent several summer holidays at the Marivent Palace on
Mallorca with Charles, William and Harry during the 1980s and the
photocalls there became famous events. Some of the best known
images of the princess were taken during those events.
The book, which hits bookshops in France next week before
publication in Spain in the first days of December, also outlines
Juan Carlos’ relationship with his son, King Felipe. The former
monarch details the last conversation the two men had before he
headed into exile in 2020.
Juan Carlos says that Felipe called him as he was already on his
way out of Spain and asked him ”where are you going, boss?”.
And he hasn’t ruled out coming back to the country he reigned
over between 1975 and 2014 when he abdicated in favour of Felipe.
In the book, he says he wants ”above all, to return to Spain, to my
home”.
He also hasn’t ruled out a stronger bond with Felipe VI who he
says turned his shoulder on him out of obligation. He writes that
he wants ”a harmonious relationship with my son”.
Whether a tell all memoir will achieve that remans to be
seen.
