'My history is being stolen': scandal-prone Spanish former king to publish memoirs
MADRID - Spain's former king Juan Carlos will publish his memoirs by year end in an unprecedented move by a Spanish monarch, publishing house Planeta said on Monday.
Once revered for his role in Spain's transition to democracy, Juan Carlos was forced to abdicate in 2014 following a series of scandals that included an affair with Danish national Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn and the shooting of an elephant in Botswana. He is now seen as a liability for his son, King Felipe.
Spanish prosecutors investigated allegations of fraud laid against the former king in Spain and Switzerland, but dropped the probe due to insufficient evidence and the statute of limitations.
The former king's lawyer said at the time that prosecutors had failed to prove the existence of any wrongdoing or criminal behaviour.
"Reconciliation," written in first person, aims to highlight his fundamental contributions to the success of Spain's young democracy during his almost 40-year reign, overshadowed by his self-imposed exile in Abu Dhabi and some of his own mistakes, the publisher said.
"My father always advised me not to write my memoirs. Kings do not confess. And certainly not publicly. Their secrets remain buried in the shadows of palaces. Why am I disobeying him today? Why have I changed my mind? Because I feel that my history is being stolen from me," Planeta quoted the former king as saying.
The 87-year-old ex-monarch moved to Abu Dhabi in 2020 and has not participated in any official act with the Spanish royal family since. He only returns to Spain for short visits, mainly to sail his yacht, Bribon - Spanish for "rascal" - on its northwestern coast.
The memoirs will tell in detail the private side of a public life, Planeta said, in a book "rich in anecdotes that do not shy away from the most significant episodes of our recent history, nor from the joys and sorrows of his intimate and personal life." REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
36 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Prayers for the Dalai Lama in the heart of Mongolian Buddhism
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A portrait of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama (centre top) is seen at the Gandantegchinlen Monastery in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on July 4. ULAANBAATAR - Incantations ring out at Mongolia's largest monastery as worshippers pray alongside pictures of the Dalai Lama, whose 90th birthday on July 6 has raised fresh questions about the future of the 600-year-old Tibetan spiritual institution. Buddhism has been Mongolia's dominant religion for centuries, and the country's last king, Bogd Khan, was born in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa. The Gandantegchinlen Monastery has long been the heart of the faith in Mongolia, where more than half the population identifies as Buddhist. The Dalai Lama insisted this week that his office 'exclusively' would name his successor, even as China said it would do so. Worshipper Jamyandorj Baljinnyam credited him with bringing about a renaissance in the faith. 'Before the Dalai Lama, Buddhism wasn't well known in many parts of the world,' he told AFP. 'Thanks to his influence, everyone now accepts that Buddhism is not only a religion but also a comprehensive scientific philosophy,' he said. 'He brought us all together. I even know worshippers from Africa.' China's government insisted this week that the next Dalai Lama must be appointed with its approval, in a process carried out by drawing lots from a golden urn under a method introduced by a Qing dynasty emperor in the 18th century. That urn is held by Beijing and the Dalai Lama has already warned that, when used dishonestly, it lacks 'any spiritual quality'. Buddhist institutions wield significant political influence in Mongolia, which is sandwiched between Russia and China, and many there were reluctant to speak openly about the succession given its sensitivities. Dr Ruth Gamble, a historian of Tibet at Australia's La Trobe University, said Mongolian Buddhists could find themselves trapped in a geopolitical clash with a uniquely spiritual bent. 'I think we're going to end up with two Dalai Lamas, or two people understood by different groups to be Dalai Lamas,' she told AFP. 'Who will the other Buddhist, Tibetan Buddhist, or Vajrayana Buddhist countries like Bhutan and Mongolia – which side of this debate will they go on?' In the Gandantegchinlen Monastery, where visitors spin golden Tibetan prayer wheels on which mantras are written, worshipper Baasanbat Ulzii said she prayed to the Dalai Lama's portrait every night. 'It makes everything feel complete,' she told AFP. 'He's turning 90 years old, which is such a long time,' she added. 'I truly hope the next Dalai Lama continues his legacy, uniting all Buddhist communities under one roof and spreading goodness through his will.' AFP
AsiaOne
an hour ago
- AsiaOne
Trump, Zelenskiy discuss weapons and escalating Russian strikes, World News
KYIV/WASHINGTON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he discussed air defences in a conversation with US President Donald Trump on Friday (July 4), and agreed to work on increasing Kyiv's capability to "defend the sky" as Russian attacks escalate. He added in a message on Telegram that he discussed joint defence production, as well as joint purchases and investments with the US leader. Ukraine has been asking Washington to sell it more Patriot missiles and systems that it sees as key to defending its cities from intensifying Russian air strikes. A decision by Washington to halt some shipments of weapons to Ukraine prompted warnings by Kyiv that the move would weaken its ability to defend against Russia's airstrikes and battlefield advances. Germany said it is in talks on buying Patriot air defence systems to bridge the gap. One source briefed on the call told Reuters they were optimistic that supplies of Patriot missiles could resume after what they called a "very good" conversation between the presidents. US outlet Axios reported, citing unnamed sources, that the call lasted around 40 minutes, and that Trump told Zelenskiy he would check what US weapons due to be sent to Ukraine, if any, had been put on hold. Zelenskiy, speaking later in his nightly video address, said he and Trump had agreed to "arrange a meeting between our teams to strengthen air defences. "We had a very detailed discussion on joint production. We need it, America needs it." The conversation came a day after Trump said he had a disappointing call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia pummelled Kyiv with the largest drone attack of the war across the capital, hours after Trump's conversation with Putin on Thursday. Zelenskiy called the attack "deliberately massive and cynical." Trump spoke with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday, according to Spiegel magazine, citing government sources. The two leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine, including strengthening its air defences, as well as trade issues, Spiegel reported on Friday. Kyiv had previously received Patriot batteries and ammunition from the US in the form of aid under President Joe Biden. Trump criticised him for sending weapons to Ukraine without getting anything in return, and since taking office has overseen a dramatic shake-up of relations with Kyiv. ALSO READ: Russia pounds Kyiv with largest drone attack, hours after Trump-Putin call
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Brics nations to denounce Trump tariffs
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Artificial intelligence and health will also be on the agenda at the summit. RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Brics leaders meeting in Rio de Janeiro from July 6 are expected to decry US President Donald Trump's hardline trade policies, but are struggling to bridge divides over crises roiling the Middle East. Emerging nations representing about half the world's population and 40 per cent of global economic output are set to unite over what they see as unfair US import tariffs, according to sources familiar with summit negotiations. Since coming to office in January, Mr Trump has threatened allies and rivals alike with a slew of punitive tariffs . His latest salvo comes in the form of letters due to be sent starting July 4 informing trading partners of new tariff rates expected next week on July 9. Diplomats from 11 emerging nations, including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, have been busy drafting a statement condemning the economic uncertainty. Any final summit declaration is not expected to mention the United States or its president by name. But it is expected to be a clear political shot directed at Washington. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore From temples to towers: Old memories collide with new money in Geylang Singapore Clans of Geylang: The fight for survival and revival World Hamas says it responds to Gaza ceasefire proposal in 'a positive spirit' Asia Surviving 40 deg C summer in Chongqing, one of China's hottest cities Singapore PAP has begun search for new candidates; PM Wong hopes to deploy them earlier ahead of next GE Singapore 20 retired MPs spoke up on many issues in Parliament, helped successors prepare for new role: PM Wong Singapore $3b money laundering case: 9 financial institutions handed $27.45m in MAS penalties over breaches Asia JB petrol station shooting: Dead man with bullet wounds dumped at hospital 'We're anticipating a summit with a cautious tone: it will be difficult to mention the United States by name in the final declaration,' Adjunct Professor Marta Fernandez, director of the Brics Policy Centre at Rio's Pontifical Catholic University said. This is particularly the case for China, which has only recently negotiated with the US to lower steep tit-for-tat levies. 'This doesn't seem to be the right time to provoke further friction' between the world's two leading economies, Prof Fernandez said. Conceived two decades ago as a forum for fast-growing economies, the Brics have come to be seen as a Chinese-driven counterbalance to Western power. But the summit's political punch will be depleted by the absence of China's Xi Jinping, who is skipping the annual meeting for the first time in his 12 years as president. 'I expect there will be speculation about the reasons for Xi's absence,' said Mr Ryan Hass, a former China director at the US National Security Council who is now with the Brookings Institution think tank. 'The simplest explanation may hold the most explanatory power. Xi recently hosted Lula in Beijing,' said Mr Hass. The Chinese leader will not be the only notable absentee. War crime-indicted Russian President Vladimir Putin is also opting to stay away, but will participate via video link, according to the Kremlin. Mr Hass said Mr Putin's non-attendance and the fact that India's prime minister will be a guest of honour in Brazil could also be factors in Mr Xi's absence. 'Xi does not want to appear upstaged by Modi,' who will receive a state lunch, he said. 'I expect Xi's decision to delegate attendance to Premier Li (Qiang) rests amidst these factors.' Still, the Mr Xi no-show is a blow to host President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who wants Brazil to play a bigger role on the world stage. In the year to November 2025, Brazil will have hosted a G-20 summit, a Brics summit, and COP30 international climate talks, all before heading into fiercely contested presidential elections in 2026, in which he is expected to run. Middle path Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, whose nation is still reeling from a 12-day conflict with Israel is also skipping the meeting. A source familiar with the negotiations said the Brics countries were still in disagreement over how to respond to the wars in Gaza and between Iran and Israel. Iranian negotiators are pushing for a tougher collective stance that goes beyond referencing the need for the creation of a Palestinian state and for disputes to be resolved peacefully. Artificial intelligence and health will also be on the agenda at the summit. Original members of the bloc Brazil, Russia, India, and China have been joined by South Africa and, more recently, by Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Ethiopia and Indonesia. Analysts say that it has given the grouping more potential international punch. But it has also opened many new fault lines. Brazil hopes that countries can take a common stand at the summit, including on the most sensitive issues. 'Brics (countries), throughout their history, have managed to speak with one voice on major international issues, and there's no reason why that shouldn't be the case this time on the subject of the Middle East,' Brazil's Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira told AFP. AFP
