The Emeritus King Returns to Spain to Bid Farewell to His Nephew Juan

King Juan Carlos returns to Spain. This time, it is not for a nautical event or a celebration. He returns to Madrid to bid a final farewell to Juan Gómez-Acebo, who passed away on August 11 in Palma de Mallorca at the age of 54 due to colon cancer. This is the second nephew the emeritus king has lost this year, as six months ago Fernando Gómez-Acebo passed away at the age of 49 due to a respiratory illness. Both were children of Infanta Pilar, the elder sister of the emeritus king, who passed away in January 2020. They were very close.

Juan Gómez-Acebo studied Fine Arts at Rollins College in Orlando and worked as a painter. Some of his works are part of the private collection of Baroness Thyssen. The cousin of King Felipe VI leaves behind an 11-year-old son, Nicolás, who is expected to inherit the title of Viscount of La Torre held by his father. Nicolás is from Juan's first marriage with American Winston Holmes Carney, which lasted five years. He was currently in a relationship with architect Teresa Véret, with whom he resided in Miami.

Given the timing of his death, with several family members outside Spain and prior commitments, his siblings Simoneta, Bruno, and Beltrán decided to postpone the funeral until this Sunday, September 8. His remains rest in the family pantheon at San Isidro in Madrid, alongside those of his parents and brother Fernando.

According to ¡Hola! magazine, King Juan Carlos arrived in Madrid yesterday on a regular flight and will stay at the Four Seasons Hotel since he previously committed not to stay overnight at the Palacio de la Zarzuela—his home for nearly six decades—due to the scandal over his foreign accounts. The emeritus king arrived from Abu Dhabi, where he took up residence in the summer of 2020 and will return after a funeral where he is likely to meet King Felipe and Queen Letizia, as well as Infantas Elena and Cristina.

Don Juan Carlos, who increasingly travels to Spain more frequently, will return to the country he reigned over for 39 years on September 23 to Sanxenxo to prepare for the European Championship of the 6-Metre class with Bribón.