Spain's ex-king attends regatta on brief visit home / Photo: BRAIS LORENZO - AFP
-
Thousands take to streets as Philippines protests flood control fraud
-
Raleigh sets homer mark for Mariners in MLB win at Houston
-
Floating wind power sets sail in Japan's energy shift
-
Crowd buzz in Tokyo makes up for Japan track and field flops
-
Messi brace lifts Miami in 3-2 MLS win over DC United
-
Apprentices breathe new life into historic Savile Row
-
Venezuela offers military training to public amid Trump threats
-
In New York, an anti-fascist superhero rises -- at the Met
-
Warmer climate boosts north German vineyards, for now
-
Trump issues vague threat to Afghanistan over Bagram air base
-
De Minaur, Cerundolo propel Team World to Laver Cup lead over Europe
-
Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone lit up world championships
-
French nuclear waste project sparks protest
-
Juventus top in Italy with Verona draw as Milan cruise
-
Man Utd made win over Chelsea too 'complicated' says Amorim
-
White House says $100,000 H-1B visa fee to be one-time payment
-
'Shocked, devastated': Gaza City assault leaves Palestinians traumatised
-
Lyon edge Stade Francais in wild try-fest to stay top in France
-
Russia's USSR-era rival to 'decadent' Eurovision born anew
-
Mourinho celebrates Benfica return with convincing win
-
Man Utd earn vital win against Chelsea as Liverpool stay perfect
-
Juventus climb top in Italy with draw at Verona
-
Mitchell hails 'phenomenal' Kildunne as England reach World Cup final
-
Man Utd beat Chelsea to ease pressure on Amorim
-
Hridoy and Hassan steer Bangladesh past Sri Lanka at Asia Cup
-
Kildunne strikes as England see off spirited France in World Cup semi-final
-
Mbappe on target as Real Madrid defeat Espanyol
-
Liverpool stay perfect in Premier League, Man Utd brace for Chelsea visit
-
Norris 'punching himself' for missing chance after Piastri crash
-
Kane hits another Bayern hat-trick as Hamburg get first win
-
Hamilton felt he was in the fight for pole before exit
-
Sri Lanka tries to hook anglers on invasive fish species
-
Americans would dominate board of new TikTok US entity: W.House
-
Kenya's Wanyonyi, Chebet deliver for Africa at the worlds
-
Verstappen takes pole after wild session of six red-flag crashes
-
Zelensky plans new Trump meeting as Russia intensifies attacks
-
Pegula digs in to put USA in Billie Jean King Cup Finals
-
Verstappen claims pole in chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying
-
Elderly British couple back in UK after Taliban release
-
Monaco lose captain Zakaria for City and Spurs Champions League clashes
-
Kenya's Wanyonyi holds off Sedjati for world 800m gold
-
Elderly British couple returns to UK after Taliban release
-
Suryakumar sidesteps handshake issue ahead of India-Pakistan rematch
-
Liverpool beat Everton to maintain perfect Premier League start
-
Chebet outsprints Kipyegon to win 5,000m for world double
-
Cyberattack hits European airports
-
Novartis chief eyes ways to end higher US drug prices: media
-
Trump's $100,000 fee for H-1B visas, a tech industry favourite, concerns India
-
Swiatek shrugs off double duty to reach Korea Open final
-
Flick will 'push' Rashford to achieve more at Barca
NYSE - LSE
Spain's ex-king attends regatta on brief visit home
Spain's former king attended a regatta in the northwestern Galicia region Friday on a controversial first trip home after nearly two years in exile following a string of financial scandals.
Although prosecutors have closed their probes into Juan Carlos I's affairs, revelations about the murky origins of his fortune have done irreparable damage to a figure once revered for his role in Spain's democratic transition after decades of dictatorship.
Pulling up to the sailing club in the resort town of Sanxenxo, the 84-year-old -- who flew in from Abu Dhabi on Thursday evening -- was greeted by dozens of well-wishers, and a crowd of journalists.
As he got out of the car wearing a white top, cream gilet and salmon slacks and began shaking hands with supporters, there were cries of "Long live the king!"
But there were also a few cries of dissent with one man shouting "scoundrel" -- a possible reference to the financial scandals that prompted Juan Carlos to move to Abu Dhabi in self-imposed exile in August 2020.
Hobbling along with his cane and holding onto the arm of an aide, the ex-monarch beamed as he greeted the crew of his yacht, the "Bribon" -- Spanish for "rascal".
The six-metre (20-foot) racing yacht is the same vessel with which he and his crew won the world sailing title in 2017 and 2019.
It was unclear whether he would be joining them aboard for the race. He has not sailed for some three years, Spain's RTVE public television said.
The former monarch will stay with a close friend in Sanxenxo until Monday when he travels to Madrid for a brief visit with his wife Sofia, his son King Felipe VI and other family members.
He will leave for Abu Dhabi later on Monday, the palace said.
News of the disgraced former king's impending arrival sparked a backlash earlier this week.
"There is no longer any legal or judicial reason to stop the king emeritus from travelling to Spain but there are a wealth of ethical grounds that explain the commotion this has caused," an El Pais editorial said on Thursday.
"Anyone returning to Spain with a record like king Juan Carlos I would be arrested and prosecuted as soon as they crossed the border" it tweeted.
P.Mathewson--AMWN
