King Juan Carlos Officially Signs Abdication Act

King Juan Carlos I of Spain today signed the abdication act which gave the Kingship to his son, Felipe.

The signing took place at the Royal Palace in Madrid, where the abdication act was signed with a golden pen. King Juan Carlos was applauded as he made his way back to his seat, where, in a symbolic act, switched places with his son after an emotional hug to highlight the change in power. The two men were flanked by their wives, Queen Sofia and the Princess of Asturias.

Also among those present for the milestone were Infantas Leonor and Sofia, Infanta Elena, King Juan Carlos’s two sister Pilar and Margarita, as well as King Constantine II and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece and King Simeon of Bulgaria.

The Prince of Asturias, Felipe, become King of Spain at midnight June 19, when his father’s abdication act came into legal effect. A proclamation ceremony will take place tomorrow, Spanish time, at the Cortes.

Filed under Spain
Tagged Felipe VI of Spain, Infanta Sofía of Spain, Juan Carlos I of Spain, Queen Letizia of Spain, Queen Sofia of Spain, Spanish Abdication 2014, The Princess of Asturias.

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