King Juan Carlos’s Milestone Eightieth Birthday: Photo Retrospective

Spain’s King Juan Carlos I, the former reigning monarch, today celebrates his eightieth birthday.

He was born in 1938 in Rome, the elder son of Infante Juan, Count of Barcelona – son of Alfonso XIII, the last Spanish King before the monarchy was abolished – and his wife, Princess María de las Mercedes of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. Juan Carlos was officially named the successor to Spain’s dictator, Generalísimo Francisco Franco, in 1969 – upon Franco’s death in November 1975, Juan Carlos was proclaimed King of Spain.

In May 1962, Prince Juan Carlos was married to Princess Sophia of Greece and Denmark, the elder daughter of the King of Hellenes. They had three children: Infanta Elena, Infanta Cristina and King Felipe VI.

To mark this milestone birthday, we’ve put together a photo retrospective of King Juan Carlos’s life.

Embed from Getty Images

1945: Infante Juan Carlos during his studies in Madrid

Embed from Getty Images

1947: Infante Juan Carlos (third from left) with his parents and siblings

Embed from Getty Images

July 1957: Infante Juan Carlos with his father, the Count of Barcelona

Embed from Getty Images

September 1961: Infante Juan Carlos (third from right) poses with his new fiancee, Princess Sophia of Greece (fourth from right), and their two families following the announcement of the couple’s engagement

Embed from Getty Images

May 14, 1962: Infante Juan Carlos marries Princess Sophia in Athens

Embed from Getty Images

January 1964: Prince Juan Carlos with Princess Sofia and their first child, daughter Elena

Embed from Getty Images

October 1973: Prince Juan Carlos, Princess Sofia and their three children

Embed from Getty Images

November 27, 1975: King Juan Carlos I is enthroned

Embed from Getty Images

February 23, 1981: King Juan Carlos appears on television during an attempted military coup, denouncing the coup leaders and calling for full support for the Spanish democratic government

Embed from Getty Images

June 1983: King Juan Carlos I takes the salute during Armed Forces Day 

Embed from Getty Images

September 1998: King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia with Pope John Paul II

Embed from Getty Images

May 22, 2004: King Juan Carlos following the wedding of his son and heir, Felipe, to Letizia Ortiz

Embed from Getty Images

August 2007: King Juan Carlos (C) with his wife, children and grandchildren on summer vacation in Mallorca 

Embed from Getty Images

August 2009: King Juan Carlos aboard the ‘Bribon’ during the 28th Copa del Rey Mapfre Audi Sailing Cup

Embed from Getty Images

June 18, 2014: King Juan Carlos hugs his son, the new King Felipe VI, following the signing of his abdication

Filed under Spain
Tagged Birthday, Juan Carlos I of Spain.

One Response to King Juan Carlos’s Milestone Eightieth Birthday: Photo Retrospective