Honorary king Juan Carlos I did not miss Chelsea versus Real Madrid. He arrived at Stamford Bridge just moments before the Real Madrid team bus, a presence that briefly affected the area around the stadium. Accompanied by Florentino Pérez, he stepped off the bus, though there was no initial greeting between the president and the former monarch.
Juan Carlos then drove past the stadium and entered an SUV through a VIP access door. He descended amid a chorus of cheers from fans gathered at the blue fortress, some of whom witnessed the arrival of the prince in the crowd. When he alighted from the car and moved toward the VIP entrance, spectators offered applause and shouted long live Spain, as many Spaniards in attendance watched the moment unfold.
Don Juan Carlos, dressed in a dark suit and supported by his aides, arrived at the Chelsea golf course VIP room on the way to the stadium. He is expected to attend the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals as part of the accompanying entourage.
Arrived in London on Monday
The honorary king was photographed leaving a private club in London on Monday evening, where he was observed during a private engagement. The British tabloid Daily Mail reported that Felipe VI’s father had dinner with friends at an exclusive club in the city center around 10 p.m. local time. The sources close to him indicated that Don Juan Carlos was not invited to the coronation ceremony on May 6, with Felipe VI and Letizia attending in his place. The British royal household subsequently stated that the stated appointment would not take place. It remains unclear whether the private meeting mentioned by some outlets actually occurred.
According to initial plans from Emeritus, who has been living in Abu Dhabi since 2020, he is scheduled to travel from London to Sanxenxo in Pontevedra, Spain, tomorrow. He will stay there with fellow sailors through the weekend to participate in the Rascal regatta events, marking the weekend’s sailing activities and celebrating the maritime tradition shared by the group.