Former King of Spain Juan Carlos has publicly denied long-standing rumors of an affair with Princess Diana as he prepares to release a new memoir. The memoir, co-authored with French writer Laurence Debray, is set to shed light on his past interactions with the late royal, whom he met during her summers at Marivent Palace with her then-husband, King Charles III, and their sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
In an interview with Le Figaro Magazine, journalist Charles Jaigu visited Juan Carlos in his residence in Abu Dhabi to discuss the memoir and its implications. The former monarch emphasized that he never had a romantic relationship with Diana. Their acquaintance began when she visited Marivent, where the atmosphere was complicated as her marriage was already deteriorating.
Diana’s choice to extend her stay at Marivent after Charles’s return to the UK may indicate a search for support during a challenging time. As noted by Roberto Devorik, a close adviser to Diana, the king was particularly attentive to her, perhaps to a degree that raised questions. Devorik recalled a specific summer when Juan Carlos commented that Diana resembled British journalist Selina Scott.
Rumors of a romantic involvement gained traction in 1992, fueled by Lady Colin Campbell’s book, *Diana in Private: The Princess Nobody Knows*. This book alleged that an affair occurred during Diana’s visits to Marivent. Despite acknowledging various extramarital relationships, Diana never confirmed a romantic link with Juan Carlos.
In contrast, her biographer Andrew Morton mentioned that she found Juan Carlos to be a “playboy” and expressed discomfort about his friendly demeanor. Her bodyguard, Ken Wharfe, recalled that Diana considered Juan Carlos “too friendly,” even expressing concern about his attentiveness to her during their stay.
The former king also reflected on his relationship with Queen Elizabeth II, describing their discussions regarding his abdication in favor of his son, Felipe VI. Juan Carlos recounted her reaction to his decision, saying she remarked, “It is not done! A king dies with his boots on.”
As the memoir nears publication, it promises to provide insights into the complex dynamics of royal relationships, the pressures faced by those in the spotlight, and the historical context of the monarchy during a transformative period in European history.
