Editing Monarchy of Spain (section)

===Popularity and criticism===
{{More citations needed|date=March 2020}}
Prior to the [[2008–2012 Spanish financial crisis|Spanish financial crisis]] from 2008, the monarchy traditionally enjoyed wide support and popularity by Spanish citizens since its constitutional restoration in 1978, according to [[Fernando Villespin]],<ref>[[:es:Fernando Vallespín|Spanish Wikipedia article on Villespin]]</ref> president of the ''[[Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas]]'' (CIS, ''English: Sociological Research Center'') in 2008.<ref name="King plays valuable role">{{cite web |title = Spaniards say King Juan Carlos plays valuable role |work = World News |date = 2008-02-01 |url = http://news.notiemail.com/noticia.asp?nt=11858901&cty=200 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210322030703/http://news.notiemail.com/noticia.asp?nt=11858901&cty=200 |url-status=dead |archive-date = 2021-03-22 |access-date = 2009-05-31 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.cis.es/cis/opencms/EN/index.html Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601145950/http://www.cis.es/cis/opencms/EN/index.html |date=1 June 2009 }} Official website</ref><ref>[[:es:Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas|Spanish Wikipedia article on the CIS]]</ref> According to Villespin, the king's traditional approval rating of over 70% through the years consistently out-performed those of elected political leaders, with a similar percentage of respondents considering that the king played an important role in maintaining Spanish democracy.<ref name="King plays valuable role" /> Public trust in Juan Carlos' kingship "comes only behind that of the [[Ombudsman|National Ombudsman]]", Villespin continued.<ref name="King plays valuable role" /> Members of the royal family were routinely voted among the most respected public figures in Spain,<ref name="A royal pain for the Spanish monarchy">{{cite news |last = Burnett |first = Victoria |title = Spaniards A royal pain for the Spanish monarchy |newspaper = [[The New York Times]] |date = 2008-10-17 |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/17/world/europe/17iht-sofia.4.17905851.html |access-date = 2009-12-02 |archive-date = 15 December 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191215031509/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/17/world/europe/17iht-sofia.4.17905851.html |url-status = live }}</ref> and in 2010 as many as 75% of Spanish citizens ranked the monarchy as "above any other public institution in the country", according to [[Juan Díez-Nicolás]], a former president of the CIS and founder of the private consulting firm ASEP (''Análisis Sociológicos Económicos y Políticos'').<ref name="Spanish King rebrands for recession">{{cite news |title = Spanish King rebrands for recession |newspaper = [[The Independent]] |date = 2010-02-26 |url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/spanish-king-rebrands-for-the-recession-1911276.html |access-date = 2010-10-13 |location = London |archive-date = 30 November 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201130131953/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/spanish-king-rebrands-for-the-recession-1911276.html |url-status = live }}</ref>{{NoteTag|Juan Díez Nicolás, is a Professor of Sociology since 1971 and co-founder (1963–69) and last Director General (1976–77) of the former Instituto de la Opinión Pública, as well as the first Director General (1977–1979) of the present Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS), both within the public administration. During the political transition to democracy (1973–1982) he occupied several high public offices, he has been President of the Spanish Federation of Sociology (1995–98), President of the Forum for the Social Integration of Immigrants (1999–2002) and Vice-President of Members and Finances of the International Sociological Association (ISA). Currently he is Elected Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, member of the High-Level Advisory Group on Dialogue between Peoples and Cultures of the Mediterranean (personally appointed by the President of the European Commission), member of the Executive Committee of the [[World Values Survey]] Association, and member of different scientific and advisory committees.}} The CIS, a non-partisan government funded independent research institution, has been researching public opinion of the monarchy since 1984 and tracks three basic lines of inquiry; ''what is public confidence in the monarchy, what is the role of the monarchy in a democratic system, and to what degree has the king contributed to the democratic process.''<ref name="King plays valuable role" />

The king was routinely considered one of the top ten most popular figures in Spain,<ref name="Spanish King rebrands for recession" /> with as many as 80% of Spanish believing Spain's transition to democracy would not have been made possible without the king's personal intervention.<ref name="King plays valuable role" /> Historian and royal biographer Charles Powell told [[BBC News]] in 2008 that "There's a deep-rooted feeling of gratitude for the king's role in the transition to democracy [and] Polls show that he is the individual to whom democratisation is most closely attributed, and the sense of gratitude cuts across class and ideological lines."<ref name="Spain's fast-living king turns 70" />

Prior to the economic crisis, part of the monarchy's appeal may lay in the personal characteristics of Juan Carlos, whose philosophy on his family, on personal [[integrity]], and on a selfless [[work ethic]] were revealed in intimate private letters of fatherly advice to his son Felipe, Prince of Asturias, between 1984 and 1985, when Felipe was then attending university in Canada.<ref name="private royal letters">{{cite news |last=Govan |first=Fiona |title=King Juan Carlos of Spain gives heir a correspondence course in ruling |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=2008-03-29 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1583174/King-Juan-Carlos-of-Spain-gives-heir-a-correspondence-course-in-ruling.html |access-date=2009-06-01 |location=London |archive-date=16 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216055536/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1583174/King-Juan-Carlos-of-Spain-gives-heir-a-correspondence-course-in-ruling.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="private royal letters 2">{{cite news |last=Govan |first=Fiona |title = King Juan Carlos of Spain's letters to his son |newspaper = [[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=2008-03-29 |url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1583175/King-Juan-Carlos-of-Spain-gives-heir-a-correspondence-course-in-ruling.html |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130421084814/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1583175/King-Juan-Carlos-of-Spain-gives-heir-a-correspondence-course-in-ruling.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-04-21 |access-date=2009-06-01 |location=London }}</ref> According to Juan Carlos a monarch must not take his position for granted but work for the people's welfare, be kind, attentive and helpful, and "appear animated even when you are tired; kind even when you don't feel like it; attentive even when you are not interested; helpful even when it takes an effort [...] You need to appear natural, but not vulgar; cultivated and aware of problems, but not [[pedantic]] or conceited".<ref name="private royal letters" /><ref name="private royal letters 2" />

Juan Carlos continued;
{{quote|Those whom God has chosen to be kings and to be at the head of the destiny of a country do not have any other choice than to start to understand the importance and the special characteristics of the position, because one can say that they start to become adults long before other boys of their age. If in this life it is as important to form and strengthen character enough to permit us to lead, it is not any less to know how to obey. In spite of the high positions that we hold in life, it will always be vital to know we also have duties to perform and obedience always involves real honour [...] We have to build a closely united family, without fissures or contradictions, we must not forget that on all and on each one of us are fixed the eyes of Spaniards whom we should serve with body and soul. I do not want to prolong my first letter any more in order not to tire you, but I would hope that this as well as the succeeding ones I send you leave a profound impression on you and are read calmly and thought about seriously.|King Juan Carlos I to Felipe, Prince of Asturias, 1984.<ref name="private royal letters" /><ref name="private royal letters 2" />}}

"I have had to stand snubs and contempt, incomprehension and annoyances that you, thank God, have not known", reminded the king to his son in one letter.<ref name="private royal letters" /><ref name="private royal letters 2" /> The private letters from father to son remain within the royal household, but were copied and released into the public domain without any approval or foreknowledge, according to a Zarzuela palace official who confirmed the letter's authenticity.<ref name="private royal letters" /><ref name="private royal letters 2" />

However, the monarchy became the focus of acute criticism from part of the left and right of the Spanish [[Politics of Spain|political spectrum]], and by [[Politics of Spain#The nationality debate|regional separatists]]. As many as 22% of Spanish citizens feel that a republic would be the better form of government for Spain, while separatists and independence supporters in the [[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque Country]] and [[Catalonia]] routinely protest the monarchy as the living symbol of a ''united'' Spain.<ref name="Spain's fast-living king turns 70" /><ref name="King under fire 1">{{cite web |title = Protesters burn pictures of King Juan Carlos in Spain |work=[[Europa News]] |date=2007-09-14 |url = http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/article_1355696.php |access-date=2009-06-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101108113342/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/article_1355696.php |archive-date = 8 November 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="Galician separatists">{{cite web |title = Two fined for torching effigy of Spanish king |work = [[Expatica]] |date=2009-06-01 |url = http://www.expatica.com/es/news/spanish-news/Two-fined-for-torching-effigy-of-Spanish-king_49575.html |access-date = 2009-12-02 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140715133145/http://www.expatica.com/es/news/spanish-news/Two-fined-for-torching-effigy-of-Spanish-king_49575.html |archive-date=15 July 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="King jeered">{{cite web |title = Spanish TV head fired for cutting jeering king footage |work = [[Expatica]] |date=2009-05-15 |url = http://www.expatica.com/es/news/spanish-news/Spanish-TV-head-fired-for-cutting-jeering-king-footage_52648.html |access-date=2009-06-01 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140706091852/http://www.expatica.com/es/news/spanish-news/Spanish-TV-head-fired-for-cutting-jeering-king-footage_52648.html |archive-date = 6 July 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Part of the left criticize the institution of monarchy as [[Anachronism|anachronistic]], while the far right criticize King Juan Carlos personally because he has given his royal assent and tacit approval to what they perceive to be a [[Spanish society after the democratic transition|liberal agenda in Spain]] and a [[secularism]] of [[Culture of Spain|Spanish life]].<ref name="Spain's fast-living king turns 70" /><ref name="Not so happy birthday for Spain's king">{{cite news |last=Goodman |first=Al |title=Not so happy birthday for Spain's king |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=2008-01-04 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/01/04/spain.juancarlos/index.html |access-date=2009-12-10 |archive-date=26 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026161033/http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/01/04/spain.juancarlos/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>{{NoteTag|Conservative radio talk show host [[Federico Jimenez Losantos]] of the [[Cadena COPE]] radio network, owned and operated by Spain's Roman Catholic Church, called for Juan Carlos to abdicate for his tacit approval of a perceived liberal agenda.}}

The monarchy became subject to sharpened criticism during the [[2008–2012 Spanish financial crisis|financial crisis]], particularly 2012 which became a kind of "[[annus horribilis]]" for the monarchy,<ref name="Chastened King Seeks Redemption, for Spain and His Monarchy">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/29/world/europe/juan-carlos-i-seeks-redemption-for-spain-and-monarchy.html?pagewanted=all |title="Chastened King Seeks Redemption, for Spain and His Monarchy" |work=The New York Times |date=29 September 2012 |access-date=25 February 2017 |archive-date=13 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213165956/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/29/world/europe/juan-carlos-i-seeks-redemption-for-spain-and-monarchy.html?pagewanted=all |url-status=live |last1=Carvajal |first1=Doreen |last2=Minder |first2=Raphael }}</ref> as members of the royal family became increasingly seen as out-of-step with the Spanish mainstream or drawn into scandal.<ref name="Spanish royal family hit by fraud scandal">{{cite news |last=Tremlett |first=Giles |title=Spanish royal family hit by fraud scandal |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=2011-12-11 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/dec/08/spanish-royal-family-hit-fraud-scandal |access-date=2012-11-12 |location=London |archive-date=15 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215063450/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/dec/08/spanish-royal-family-hit-fraud-scandal |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Spanish royal s under fire">{{cite news |title = Spanish royals under fire |newspaper = [[The Daily Beast]] |date = 2012-04-16 |url = http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/04/16/spanish-monarchy-scandal.html |access-date = 2012-11-12 |last = Elkin |first = Mike |archive-date = 19 April 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170419101456/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/04/16/spanish-monarchy-scandal.html |url-status = live }}</ref> Queen Sofía was criticized in 2008 for inarticulately disclosing her private opinions on gay marriage in a biography publicly released that year. In 2011 the king's son-in-law [[Iñaki Urdangarin, Duke of Palma de Mallorca]], was accused of [[money laundering]] and impropriety for using his connection to the royal family for personal financial gain.<ref name="Spanish royal family hit by fraud scandal"/><ref>{{in lang|es}} [http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2011/11/09/actualidad/1320835105_840729.html Iñaki Urdangarin is involved in the 'Palma Arena' case] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229052353/https://politica.elpais.com/politica/2011/11/09/actualidad/1320835105_840729.html |date=29 December 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{in lang|es}}[http://www.elpais.com/articulo/espana/Anticorrupcion/registra/fundacion/Inaki/Urdangarin/elpepiesp/20111108elpepinac_16/Tes Anticorrupción registra la fundación de Iñaki Urdangarin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109072515/https://elpais.com/diario/2011/11/08/espana/1320706816_850215.html |date=9 November 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{in lang|es}}[http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2011/11/09/actualidad/1320868088_382205.html http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2011/11/09/actualidad/1320868088_382205.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522142108/https://elpais.com/politica/2011/11/09/actualidad/1320868088_382205.html |date=22 May 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{in lang|es}} [http://www.abc.es/20111210/espana/abcp-gestores-noos-facturaron-instituto-20111210.html Los gestores de Nóos facturaron al Instituto 1.700.000 euros cuando ya no funcionaba ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411063305/https://www.abc.es/20111210/espana/abcp-gestores-noos-facturaron-instituto-20111210.html |date=11 April 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2011/12/12/espana/1323686462.html |title = El Rey aparta a Urdangarin por su comportamiento 'no ejemplar' |access-date = 12 October 2012 |archive-date = 18 September 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200918090433/https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2011/12/12/espana/1323686462.html |url-status = live }}</ref> In April 2012 the king's grandson, 13-year-old [[Felipe Juan Froilán de Marichalar y Borbón|Froilán]], shot himself in the foot during target practice at his father's estate, echoing a similar but far more serious gun accident involving the king in 1956.<ref name="Spanish royal s under fire" /> According to historians, the then 18-year-old Juan Carlos was cleaning a revolver when he accidentally shot to death his 14-year-old brother [[Infante Alfonso of Spain|Alfonso]].<ref name="Spanish royal s under fire" /> Also in 2012, the monarchy was seen as out-of-touch during the financial crisis as the king went on a [[hunting]] [[safari]] in [[Botswana]] while Spanish citizens suffered crippling unemployment and [[austerity measures]] at home.<ref name="Spanish royal s under fire" /> Furthermore, sporting a hunting vest and rifle the king was photographed over a dead [[elephant]] propped against a tree.<ref name="Spanish royal s under fire" /> Despite public knowledge of the king's interest in hunting,<ref>{{cite web |title = Desde nuestros comienzos hasta hoy |publisher = WWF |url = http://www.wwf.es/wwf_adena/historia_y_logros/ |access-date = 2012-04-15 |archive-date = 25 January 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170125233618/http://www.wwf.es/wwf_adena/historia_y_logros/ |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Cazador blanco, sangre azul |author=WWF |url = http://www.publico.es/ciencias/238318/cazador-blanco-sangre-azul |access-date=2012-04-15|url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120418152635/http://www.publico.es/ciencias/238318/cazador-blanco-sangre-azul |archive-date=18 April 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>[http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2005/01/23729b67-d43a-4711-89aa-afef9326c53c.html Romania: Elite Hunting Spree Sparks Calls For Better Animal Protection] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616062051/http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2005/01/23729b67-d43a-4711-89aa-afef9326c53c.html |date=16 June 2008 }}, ''[[RFE/RL]]'', 27 January 2005.</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6070656.stm "Royal row over Russian bear fate"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070903034921/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6070656.stm |date=3 September 2007 }}, ''[[BBC]]'', 20 October 2006.</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=King's bison shoot stirs anger of conservation groups |author=WWF |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2004/mar/24/conservationandendangeredspecies.internationalnews |access-date=2012-04-15 |location=London |newspaper=The Guardian |date=2004-03-24 |archive-date=27 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827235741/http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2004/mar/24/conservationandendangeredspecies.internationalnews |url-status=live }}</ref> the image this time contrasted sharply with his patronage of the Spanish branch of the conservation group [[World Wildlife Fund]]. Though elephant hunting is legal on the game preserve in Botswana, the World Wildlife Fund lists elephants as an endangered species, and the public outcry led to the WWF to strip the king of his honorary patronage in July, 2012.<ref name="Spanish royal s under fire" /><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2012/WWFPresitem27728.html |title=WWF asks to speak to king |access-date=19 October 2012 |archive-date=22 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622083209/http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2012/WWFPresitem27728.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="JuanCarlosOustedfrompresidency">{{cite news |url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/spain/9417840/King-Juan-Carlos-of-Spain-ousted-from-WWF-presidency-after-row-over-hunting-trip.html |archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/spain/9417840/King-Juan-Carlos-of-Spain-ousted-from-WWF-presidency-after-row-over-hunting-trip.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title = King no longer president |website = Telegraph.co.uk |date= 2012-07-21 |access-date=2012-08-19 |location=London |first=Martin |last=Roberts }}{{cbignore}}</ref> With the perceived disconnect public support of the monarchy has dropped to a new low of only 49%, according to a December 2011 Metroscopia survey.<ref name="Spanish royal family hit by fraud scandal" />

The king took measures to restore public confidence in the monarchy.<ref name="Chastened King Seeks Redemption, for Spain and His Monarchy" /><ref name="Politica.elpais.com">[http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2011/12/28/actualidad/1325105881_885673.html "El Rey cuenta su salario: 292.752 euros"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911085844/https://politica.elpais.com/politica/2011/12/28/actualidad/1325105881_885673.html |date=11 September 2017 }} ''[[El País]]''</ref> In the wake of the scandal surrounding the Duke of Palma de Mallorca, the king spoke in his 2011 Christmas Eve National Speech that no-one is above the law.<ref name="Politica.elpais.com" /> Additionally, the king addressed the perennial critique of the monarchy by publishing the budget spent on the monarchy and royal household.<ref name="Politica.elpais.com" /> In 2012, the king and Prince of Asturias volunteered an additional 7% pay-cut in solidarity with government officials, bringing the king's taxable income for 2012 at about 270,000 euros, and that of the prince at 131,000 euros.<ref name="JuanCarlosOustedfrompresidency" /> Of the events surrounding the safari, the contrite king issued a rare apology and said "I am very sorry. I made a mistake. It will not happen again."<ref name="JuanCarlosOustedfrompresidency" /> Furthermore, the king and the Prince of Asturias stepped up public engagements, particularly those of a business nature, in an effort to promote "Brand Spain", as the king put it as he answered written questions.<ref name="Chastened King Seeks Redemption, for Spain and His Monarchy" /> The king's mantra for Spanish business; "Export, export, export!"<ref name="Chastened King Seeks Redemption, for Spain and His Monarchy" /> Spanish business magnates rallied to the king's cause; "From a corporate point of view, [[King Juan Carlos]] is Spain's No. 1 ambassador," said [[César Alierta]], chairman of the Spanish telecommunications giant [[Telefónica]].<ref name="Chastened King Seeks Redemption, for Spain and His Monarchy" /> The king is also credited with brokering a deal worth $9.9&nbsp;billion for a Spanish consortium in Saudi Arabia [[Haramain High Speed Rail Project|to construct]] a [[high-speed rail]] line by leveraging his personal relationship with Saudi [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|King Abdullah]] and outmaneuvering a French bid.<ref name="Chastened King Seeks Redemption, for Spain and His Monarchy" /><ref name="Al Shoula-Led Group Wins Saudi Contract for Haramain Railway">[https://web.archive.org/web/20111030185819/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-10-26/al-shoula-led-group-wins-saudi-contract-for-haramain-railway.html "Al Shoula-Led Group Wins Saudi Contract for Haramain Railway"] ''[[Bloomburg]] Businessweek''</ref><ref name="Saudi railway to be built by Spanish-led consortium">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15465865 "Saudi railway to be built by Spanish-led consortium"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828014533/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15465865 |date=28 August 2020 }} "BBC News Business"</ref> "Without the king, this contract would not have gone ahead," according to former Spanish foreign minister [[Miguel Angel Moratinos]].<ref name="Chastened King Seeks Redemption, for Spain and His Monarchy" /> The king's role as a "business diplomat and deal maker" for his country's interest was brought to light during the safari scandal, as the safari was paid for by Mohamed Eyad Kayali, a Syrian construction magnate and longtime friend of the king. The two worked together on the deal which awarded the [[Haramain High Speed Rail Project]] to the Spanish consortium.<ref name="Chastened King Seeks Redemption, for Spain and His Monarchy" /> For supporters of the monarchy the king is an "irreplaceable resource" with unrivaled relationships with other world leaders.<ref name="Chastened King Seeks Redemption, for Spain and His Monarchy" /> Observers credit the king with easing tensions between Spain's former government of [[José Zapatero]] and the [[George W. Bush administration]], while also helping to resolve disputes in Latin America.<ref name="Chastened King Seeks Redemption, for Spain and His Monarchy" />

Opinion polls released in April 2012 revealed that the Spanish public generally forgave the king over the recent scandals, but wished for greater transparency of the monarchy.<ref name="Chastened King Seeks Redemption, for Spain and His Monarchy" /> 
However, criticism grew increasingly strident towards many senior members of the royal family as investigations continued to dominate headlines throughout 2013. In an act to preserve Spanish constitutional stability Juan Carlos I abdicated the throne on 19 June 2014, in favor of his popular son, now reigning as King Felipe VI.<ref>{{cite news |title = A King Makes a Powerful Change, for Stability |newspaper = The New York Times |date = 2 June 2014 |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/03/world/europe/king-juan-carlos-of-spain-to-abdicate-throne.html |access-date = 2 June 2014 |last = Minder |first = Raphael |archive-date = 31 January 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210131071556/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/03/world/europe/king-juan-carlos-of-spain-to-abdicate-throne.html |url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="Time-abdication">{{cite news |title = Spain's King Attends Last Parade Before Abdication |url = http://time.com/2845028/spains-king-attends-last-parade-before-abdication/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140608151210/http://time.com/2845028/spains-king-attends-last-parade-before-abdication/ |url-status=dead |archive-date = 8 June 2014 |access-date = 8 June 2014 |magazine = [[Time Magazine]] |agency = [[Associated Press]] |date = 8 June 2014 }}</ref>

At the time of his abdication La Razon found that more than 77 per cent of respondents rated the leadership of King Juan Carlos as "good" or "very good". Seventy-two per cent thought the monarchy was an important factor for political stability.<ref name="Polls show Spanish happy with monarchy">{{cite web |title = Polls show Spanish happy with monarchy |url = http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Polls-show-Spanish-happy-with-monarchy-30235758.html |access-date = 8 June 2014 |archive-date = 13 November 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181113170016/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Polls-show-Spanish-happy-with-monarchy-30235758.html |url-status = dead }}</ref> The Spanish public also gave a broadly positive opinion not only of the abdication but of his reign as a whole. According to a poll taken by El Mundo, believed the king's reign was either good or very good, up from 41.3 per cent. Overall, 55.7 per cent of those polled in the 3–5 June survey by Sigma Dos supported the institution of the monarchy in Spain, up from 49.9 per cent when the same question was posed six months earlier. 57.5 per cent believed the Felipe VI could restore the royal family's lost prestige. An overwhelming majority of Spaniards believe Felipe VI would make a good monarch and more than three-quarters believe Juan Carlos was right to hand over the throne to his son.<ref>{{cite news |title = Spanish royal family's popularity boosted by King Juan Carlos's abdication in favour of Prince Felipe |url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/spain/10886317/Spanish-royal-familys-popularity-boosted-by-King-Juan-Carloss-abdication-in-favour-of-Prince-Felipe.html |archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/spain/10886317/Spanish-royal-familys-popularity-boosted-by-King-Juan-Carloss-abdication-in-favour-of-Prince-Felipe.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date = 10 June 2014 |newspaper = The Daily Telegraph |date = 9 June 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In recent years, however, public opinion on the form of organization of the Head of State has become increasingly divided, with polls confirming a technical tie between monarchists and republicans since 2018.<ref>{{cite web |date = 2019-06-19 |title = España sigue siendo monárquica gracias a los andaluces y a pesar de catalanes y vascos |url = https://www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/casas-reales/2019-06-19/encuesta-vanitatis-felipe-letizia-monarquia-republica-espana-cataluna_2075143/ |access-date = 2020-06-18 |website = [[El Confidencial]] |language = es |archive-date = 29 November 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201129142928/https://www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/casas-reales/2019-06-19/encuesta-vanitatis-felipe-letizia-monarquia-republica-espana-cataluna_2075143/ |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date = 2019-01-10 |title = Empate técnico por primera vez: la República ya tiene tanto apoyo como la Monarquía |url = https://www.elespanol.com/espana/20190110/empate-tecnico-primera-vez-republica-apoyo-monarquia/367463288_0.html |access-date = 2020-06-18 |website = [[El Español]] |language = es-ES |archive-date = 19 December 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201219213730/https://www.elespanol.com/espana/20190110/empate-tecnico-primera-vez-republica-apoyo-monarquia/367463288_0.html |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = Sondeo {{!}} Los españoles prefieren república a monarquía por una mayoría absoluta |url = http://www.publico.es/politica/sondeo-espanoles-prefieren-republica-monarquia-mayoria-absoluta.html |access-date = 2020-06-18 |website = publico.es |date = 6 May 2020 |archive-date = 22 December 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201222140640/https://www.publico.es/politica/sondeo-espanoles-prefieren-republica-monarquia-mayoria-absoluta.html |url-status = live }}</ref>

Despite being hailed for his role in Spain's transition to democracy, King Juan Carlos I and the monarchy's reputation began to suffer after controversies surrounding his family arose, exacerbated by the public controversy centering on an elephant-hunting trip he undertook during a time of financial crisis in Spain. Since August 2020, Juan Carlos has lived in self-exile from Spain over allegedly improper ties to [[Juan Carlos I of Spain#2020 Saudi rail deal|business deals in Saudi Arabia]].<ref>{{cite news |date = 2020-08-04 |title = Spain's former king to go into self-imposed exile amid corruption allegations |url = https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-08-04/spain-former-king-juan-carlos-leaving-country-financial-scandal |access-date = 2021-03-02 |newspaper = [[Los Angeles Times]] |language = en-US |archive-date = 21 March 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220321021610/https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-08-04/spain-former-king-juan-carlos-leaving-country-financial-scandal |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last = Minder |first = Raphael |date = 2020-08-03 |title = Juan Carlos, Spain's Former King, Quits Country Amid Multiple Investigations |language = en-US |newspaper = The New York Times |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/03/world/europe/juan-carlos-leaves-spain.html |access-date = 2021-03-02 |issn = 0362-4331 |archive-date = 21 March 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220321021610/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/03/world/europe/juan-carlos-leaves-spain.html |url-status = live }}</ref>

During the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Spain]], it became known on 2 March 2021 that the two sisters of King Felipe, the Infantas [[Infanta Cristina of Spain|Cristina]] and [[Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo|Elena]], had travelled to the [[United Arab Emirates]] in order to receive the vaccine and avoid the waiting of the Spanish protocol.<ref>{{cite web |date = 2021-03-02 |title = Las infantas Elena y Cristina se vacunaron en Emiratos aprovechando una visita a Juan Carlos I |url = https://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/2021-03-02/infantas-elena-cristina-vacunaron-coronavirus-emiratos-aprovechando-visita-juan-carlos-i_2974843/ |access-date = 2021-03-02 |website = elconfidencial.com |language = es |archive-date = 2 March 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210302195043/https://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/2021-03-02/infantas-elena-cristina-vacunaron-coronavirus-emiratos-aprovechando-visita-juan-carlos-i_2974843/ |url-status = live }}</ref>

According to a poll made in 2020, 35 per cent of Spaniards would vote for the monarchy in a referendum, while 41 per cent would choose the republic. Right-wing supporters are the most monarchist, and left-wing supporters the most republican.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andrade |first=Mónica |title=Si hubiera un referéndum: república, 40,9%, monarquía 34,9%, con un 12,9% de indecisos |url=http://ctxt.es/es/20201001/Politica/33726/referendum-reformas-encuesta-monarquia-constitucion-republica-monica-andrade.htm |access-date= |website=ctxt.es {{!}} Contexto y Acción |language=es |archive-date=4 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504172107/https://ctxt.es/es/20201001/Politica/33726/referendum-reformas-encuesta-monarquia-constitucion-republica-monica-andrade.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Other poll made in 2021, showed a different result: 58 per cent would choose the monarchy, while 37 rejects it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Riaño |first=Miguel |date=2021-01-07 |title=Felipe VI dispara el apoyo a la Monarquía en las encuestas pese a las polémicas de su padre |url=https://www.elindependiente.com/espana/2021/01/07/felipe-vi-dispara-el-apoyo-a-la-monarquia-en-las-encuestas-pese-a-las-polemicas-de-su-padre/ |access-date=2023-05-14 |website=El Independiente |language=es |archive-date=14 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514124544/https://www.elindependiente.com/espana/2021/01/07/felipe-vi-dispara-el-apoyo-a-la-monarquia-en-las-encuestas-pese-a-las-polemicas-de-su-padre/ |url-status=live }}</ref>