Spain’s disgraced former king Juan Carlos I made a rare return to the country over the Easter weekend, attending a high-profile bullfighting event in Seville (Andalusia) that drew both enthusiastic applause and renewed controversy.
The 87-year-old emeritus monarch, who has been living in Abu Dhabi since 2019, arrived in the Andalusian capital by private jet on Easter Sunday. It marked his first visit to Spain in several months and coincided with the opening of Seville’s bullfighting season at the historic Real Maestranza arena.
As he entered the packed bullring, sections of the crowd rose to their feet, clapping and shouting ‘Viva el Rey’, underlining the enduring support he still commands among some Spaniards.
Juan Carlos was accompanied by his eldest daughter, Infanta Elena. Footage from the day also showed the former king spending time with family members before taking his seat in the arena. During the corrida, one of the bullfighters, Morante de la Puebla dedicated his turn with one of the bulls to Juan Carlos. Images of the event were shared on Instagram and X (below) by the Real Maestranza bullring.
The visit has once again exposed deep divisions in Spanish public opinion. While supporters continue to praise Juan Carlos for his role in Spain’s transition to democracy after the Franco era, critics argue that his past conduct —particularly a series of financial scandals — should preclude such public displays of admiration. ALSO READ: Declassified documents in Spain lift shadow over former king Juan Carlos in 1981 coup.
Although investigations in Spain and Switzerland into his finances were ultimately dropped in 2022, controversy continues to surround his appearances. His departure from Spain in 2020 followed mounting scrutiny over alleged corruption, and his public profile has since been carefully managed to avoid damaging the image of the monarchy under his son, King Felipe VI. ALSO READ: Disgraced former king defends his legacy in video ahead of memoir release.
The trip to Seville has also reignited political debate over whether Juan Carlos should be allowed to return to live permanently in Spain.
Reports suggest he would like to do so, ideally at the Zarzuela Palace, his former residence for decades. However, this remains a key obstacle, as the palace also serves as the official seat of the head of state. Under an agreement between the government and the royal household, he is not permitted to stay in state residences during visits – a condition communicated by Felipe VI and accepted by his father.
His visit comes just over a month after opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo publicly called for his return to Spain, further fuelling the debate over his future. ALSO READ: Spanish PM on former king’s memoir: ‘Not one of the books I recommend this Christmas’.
Beyond the political dimension, the setting of the reception has added another layer of controversy. Bullfighting remains one of Spain’s most polarising traditions, facing growing opposition even as major events like Seville’s Easter corrida continue to draw large crowds and high-profile attendees. ALSO READ: Bull kills former matador during preparations for Malaga’s Easter bullfight.
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📸 El rey emérito Juan Carlos I recibió a Morante de la Puebla, Roca Rey, David de Miranda y a José María Garzón tras asistir a la tradicional corrida del Domingo de Resurrección en Sevilla.
Todo un honor su vuelta a la plaza de toros una década después de su última visita 👏 pic.twitter.com/9MjbzJclLZ
— lancesmaestranza (@LancesMaestranz) April 5, 2026
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