LBCI

Spain's Prince Felipe set to become king after June 18

World News

03-06-2014 | 08:18

Share

Share

Spain's Prince Felipe set to become king after June 18

3^min

With a wave to onlookers, King Juan Carlos and Crown Prince Felipe left a military ceremony at El Escorial on Tuesday, marking the end of the first public event the two attended since the King announced he is abdicating the throne to his heir.

Leaning on his cane, the King looked moved as he waved at the end of the military parade, which is expected to be one of the last times the public see the two before the handover.

The ceremony took place at the historic El Escorial, 45 kilometers (28 miles) from the capital city of Madrid, which was built by King Philip II in the late 16th century as both a monastery and royal residence.

On Monday (June 2), King Juan Carlos announced he is abdicating after almost 40 years on the throne to make way for a new generation to tackle the country's problems.

Military personnel helped the King walk and get in and out of the car. The Prince and King kissed each other goodbye before leaving.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy had said the King was stepping down for personal reasons but a source at the royal palace told Reuters political factors had driven the decision.

With one out of four people unemployed, Spaniards have had growing discontent with the wider political elite and the scandal-hit Spanish monarchy.

The 76-year-old looked frail in contrast to 46-year-old Felipe as the two stood side by side, reviewing the troops.

A survey in January by Sigma Dos found 62 percent of Spaniards in favor of the King stepping down, compared with just 45 percent a year earlier. Only 41 percent had a 'good' or 'very good' opinion of the King.

Felipe, by contrast, has a 66 percent approval rating and the poll indicated most Spaniards believed the monarchy could recover its prestige if he ascended the throne.

REUTERS

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

PM Salam in Damascus: Progress on key Lebanon-Syria issues and agreement to deepen cooperation across security, economy and borders

2026-05-09

PM Salam in Damascus: Progress on key Lebanon-Syria issues and agreement to deepen cooperation across security, economy and borders

School strike 'calculated' assault by US: Iran FM

Middle East News

2026-03-27

School strike 'calculated' assault by US: Iran FM

UKMTO reports suspicious activity in Gulf of Aden

Middle East News

2026-05-23

UKMTO reports suspicious activity in Gulf of Aden

Bahrain revokes citizenship of 69 people over 'support for Iranian attacks'

Middle East News

2026-04-27

Bahrain revokes citizenship of 69 people over 'support for Iranian attacks'

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Israel wants 'more serious' talks with Lebanon: AFP

1

Israel wants 'more serious' talks with Lebanon: AFP

Deadly dawn in south Lebanon: 11 killed in Israeli strikes on Ansar and Deir el-Zahrani

2

Deadly dawn in south Lebanon: 11 killed in Israeli strikes on Ansar and Deir el-Zahrani

Hezbollah blames Netanyahu for escalation after strikes kill 11 in south Lebanon

3

Hezbollah blames Netanyahu for escalation after strikes kill 11 in south Lebanon

Health Ministry: Seven killed, including three children and two women, in Israeli strike on Ansar

4

Health Ministry: Seven killed, including three children and two women, in Israeli strike on Ansar

Israel says Lebanon strikes a response to Hezbollah ceasefire violation

5

Israel says Lebanon strikes a response to Hezbollah ceasefire violation

Health Ministry: 11 killed, 19 wounded in Israeli strikes on Deir el-Zahrani and Ansar

6

Health Ministry: 11 killed, 19 wounded in Israeli strikes on Deir el-Zahrani and Ansar

Six killed, two injured in airstrike in southern Lebanon as displacement reported in Nabatieh

7

Six killed, two injured in airstrike in southern Lebanon as displacement reported in Nabatieh

Israel says Lebanon strike targeted Hezbollah commander

8

Israel says Lebanon strike targeted Hezbollah commander

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More