The fortunes of the Persian Gulf that protect Juan Carlos I: from sheikhs to emirs

Juan Carlos I (Rome, 1938) has made a public reappearance. Felipe VI's father has attended the Dubai World Cup held at the exclusive Meydan Racecourse. In a photograph that has come to light, he appears seated alongside Prince Abdullah bin Saad (Barcelona, 1968). He is a figure linked to Dubai's royal dynasty, one of the "protector" monarchies of the Emeritus King in the Persian Gulf.

Amid the "judicial scandal" over the complaint against Revilla, the former president of Cantabria, Juan Carlos I has found a "refuge" in the Arabian Gulf.

There, he is protected by various royal houses. The Emeritus King is very close to the royal family of Abu Dhabi. He is also close to the royal dynasty of Kuwait, among other reigning houses.

But what is the origin of the protection for Juan Carlos I? What is behind the royal houses of the Persian Gulf that shelter the Emeritus King?

Protection of the Royal Houses of the Persian Gulf for Juan Carlos I

In August 2020, Juan Carlos I announced his departure from Spain. At that time, there was speculation about the reasons that would have led the Emeritus to establish his residence in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates).

During his reign, Juan Carlos I promoted Spain's international projection with various nations. Especially with the monarchies of the Persian Gulf.

However, Juan Carlos I's connection with the reigning houses in the Arabian Gulf has also been marked by scandal. At the beginning of the 1990s, the KIO Case broke out. The businessman Javier de la Rosa Martí (Barcelona, 1947), considered one of the Emeritus's "dangerous" friends, was accused of "blackmailing" Felipe VI's father.

As reported by Elcierredigital.com, Javier de la Rosa was accused of appropriating more than 375 million euros from the Kuwaiti company KIO (Kuwait Investment Authority) and its Spanish subsidiary, Grupo Torras.

Another episode that has tarnished the relationship between the Emeritus King and these royal dynasties was the AVE to Mecca. In June 2020, the Supreme Court took over the investigation against Juan Carlos I for the construction of the AVE to Mecca. The high-speed rail line that connects Medina with Mecca, in Saudi Arabia.

According to these investigations, the Emeritus played a decisive role in the contract due to the friendship he keeps with the Saudi monarchy. In September 2020, the investigation focused on the 100 million dollars he would have received in the summer of 2008 from the Ministry of Finance of Saudi Arabia. Four years before the awarding of the works. Finally, the investigation was closed in May 2022.

By then, Juan Carlos I was already residing in Abu Dhabi. In the capital of the United Arab Emirates, he has found the support and protection of the royal family.

The Royal Family of Abu Dhabi

Juan Carlos I's connection with the royal family of Abu Dhabi was forged in December 1981. At that time, the Emeritus made an official trip to the United Arab Emirates accompanied by Queen Sofía. On that trip, Felipe VI's father established a close friendship with then-Emir Zayed II (Al Ain, 1918).

Juan Carlos I decorated the emir with the distinction of brother.

The Emeritus not only forged an intimate relationship with Zayed II. He also did so with his sons Jalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan (Abu Dhabi, 1948), Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Al Ain, 1961), and Sheikh Mansour (United Arab Emirates, 1970).

After Zayed II's death in 2003, his eldest son Jalifa bin Sultan Al Nahayan became the new emir of Abu Dhabi. However, in May 2022, he passed away. His brother Mohamed Bin Zayed ceased to be the crown prince to become the new ruler of the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

During his mandate, Bin Zayed has been the architect of the modernization of the educational system and the economic diversification of the United Arab Emirates. He has also promoted the establishment of Abu Dhabi as a "mecca" of fashion and top-level tourism.

However, his figure has also been surrounded by controversy. Bin Zayed was accused of human rights violations during the capital's participation in the Yemen War.

Regarding his personal life, the emir of Abu Dhabi married Sheikha Salama. Their wedding tops the list of the most expensive in the international royal sphere. As a result of this marriage, five sons and four daughters were born.

In Abu Dhabi, Emir Bin Zayed is one of the most powerful men in the Al Nahayan royal house. His private fortune is estimated at 18 million dollars. The emir also controls the state investment fund Mubadala Development.

Bin Zayed is one of the closest figures to Juan Carlos I. Before abdicating in June 2014, the Emeritus King had made three official trips to the United Arab Emirates. After relinquishing the throne of Spain, it has emerged that he traveled there on twelve occasions. On one of them, he attended the Yas Marina Formula 1 circuit where he watched the Grand Prix.

After establishing his residence in Abu Dhabi, in one of the first photographs of Juan Carlos I, he appears seated on the porch of his residence next to Emir Bin Zayed. It was 2021.

The residence where the photograph was taken and the new villa where Juan Carlos I now lives are owned by Sheikh Mansour, brother of the current emir and another of the Emeritus's trusted men.

In this mansion, Juan Carlos I also celebrated his 87th birthday with his circle of friends and much of his family.

Sheikh Mansour is the third son of Emir Zayed II. He graduated in Political Science and has held important positions such as the first Minister of Presidential Affairs of the United Arab Emirates. He has led the Gulf Bank and the Government's Department of Justice.

He has built a business empire. He owns more than 70 percent of the Aabar Investments group. Through this company, he controls his investments, as well as those of the Abu Dhabi Investment Council group. He has also ventured into Damler, the automotive company that owns Mercedes Benz.

In 2008, Mansour entered the soccer business after acquiring Manchester City club. On a personal level, Sheikh Mansour has been married twice and is the father of three children.

As published by various economic portals, the royal family of Abu Dhabi is one of the wealthiest in international royalty. It is estimated that they have accumulated a fortune of 323.9 billion dollars that includes both personal assets and sovereign funds.

The Royal Dynasty of Dubai

Another dynasty close to Juan Carlos I is that of Dubai. Last weekend, the Emeritus King made a surprise reappearance alongside Prince Abdullah bin Saad Abdulaziz. Both held a meeting during the Dubai World Cup. It is one of the most prominent events in the international equestrian world, held at the Meydan Racecourse.

Prince Abdullah Bin Saad is very close to Spain. He was born in 1968 in Barcelona and is one of the sons of Arab prince Saad Bin Abdulaziz. At that time, Saad Bin Abdulaziz held the position of diplomat in Madrid as an attaché at the Saudi Arabian embassy.

He spent long periods in the Catalan capital, where he was treated at the Tarraquer Medical Clinic. He settled in Barcelona in 1976 and acquired several real estate properties, two mansions, and two castles. He also ventured into breeding purebred horses.

Some of these properties were located on Pearson Avenue. In the mansion on this emblematic street in Barcelona, it was where Prince Bin Abdulaziz would receive visits from Juan Carlos I. Both established a close friendship. During those visits, the Emeritus also met the seven children of the Arab prince. One of them was Abdullah Bin Saad, with whom he met last weekend.

As mentioned, Bin Saad's connection with Spain is very close. According to sources consulted by Elcierredigital.com, the prince is a big fan of FC Barcelona. In fact, the president of the "culé" club,

After his return to the presidency of FC Barcelona, Laporta intensified his trips to various countries in the Persian Gulf. The president wanted to attract investments and promote the club's brand in the region. In January of this year, Joan Laporta and Abdullah Bin Saad held a high-profile meeting at the Marriotts Jeddah Hotel.

Royal Family of Kuwait

Kuwait is another nation in the Persian Gulf linked to Juan Carlos I due to the well-known KIO Case. Also, because it was the destination chosen by the Emeritus for his private trips with Corinna Larrsen, one of his "close friends".

Also because of the friendship the Emeritus keeps with members of the royal dynasty. One was Emir Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Yaber Al-Sabah (Kuwait, 1929). The Kuwaiti leader became emir in 2006. But his relationship with Juan Carlos I dates back to the 1970s, when Sabah IV was Kuwait's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Juan Carlos I was still a prince.

The bond with the Emeritus grew closer from 1991. Spain was part of the coalition of 31 countries that helped expel the invading Iraqi troops from Kuwait. A victory that both celebrated at the parade in Kuwait. This friendship also brought problems for the Emeritus. One of them was the payment of 5 million dollars that Corinna Larsen would have received from Kuwait.

Their friendship was kept until 2020, when Sabah IV died at the age of 91. Juan Carlos I sent his condolences to the royal family and referred to Emir Sabah IV as "brother and friend". After Sabah IV's death, his half-brother Mishal al Ahmad (Kuwait, 1940) became the new emir of Kuwait.

The Aga Khan Clan

The Aga Khan family clan is also one of the closest to Juan Carlos I. Especially Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV (Geneva, 1936 - Lisbon, 2025), title of the Ismaili imams.

Aga Khan IV was the son of the legendary international playboyAli Khan and Princess Tajuddawlah Ali Khan.

Prince Karim was one of the Emeritus King's closest friends. Both met at the Marianist Boarding School in Fribourg and their relationship continued over time.

It should be remembered that Aga Khan IV was present at one of the most controversial episodes of Juan Carlos I's reign. It was 1990 when then-Prince Karim was honored at a dinner in Mallorca. At that gathering, an open secret became evident: the relationship between Juan Carlos I and Marta Gayá.

Aga Khan IV became one of Juan Carlos I's "protectors".

Regarding his love life, Prince Karim was married twice, one of them to Princess Gabrielle Thyssen. Another of his most high-profile marriages was to British model Sally Croker-Poole, with whom he had three children.

One of them is Prince Hussein, who works as a nature photographer. Meanwhile, Princess Zahra works at the Aga Khan Foundation in Geneva. In addition, she is one of Infanta Cristina's main supporters. The second child, the first son, is Prince Rahim, the new Aga Khan V.

Such was the bond that Juan Carlos I kept with Aga Khan IV that on February 8, he traveled to Lisbon to "say goodbye" after his passing.

The Royal Family of Jordan

The good relationship that the royal family of Jordan and the Spanish royal house keep is no secret. This bond began decades ago.

Juan Carlos I and the late King Hussein I of Jordan (Amman, 1935) kept a close friendship. It is said that King Hussein gave the Emeritus purebred horses and pistols with precious stones. In 1989, King Hussein gave Juan Carlos I the so-called Mareta Palace (Lanzarote).

This friendship was also cultivated by their wives. Queen Sofía and Noor became great friends. The couples visited Madrid and Mallorca, where the Jordanian royals were received on several occasions by Juan Carlos I and Sofía.

This bond has crossed generations. Felipe VI and Doña Letizia are very close to King Abdullah II (Amman, 1962), son of Hussein and his first wife, Muna Al Hussein, and his wife, Queen Rania (Kuwait, 1974).

In 2004, Queen Rania attended the wedding of Felipe and Letizia. Since then, Rania and Letizia have developed a relationship that may have gone beyond the professional sphere.

The then Princes of Asturias chose the Arab country as one of the stops on their honeymoon. Subsequently, they have made several official trips to Jordan and, in turn, have received the Jordanian royals in Spain.

However, their absence was notable at the wedding of Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan in June 2023. A ceremony at which Juan Carlos I and Sofía were present. Once again, they showed the good relationship that exists among several royal houses.

The Royal Family of Arabia

Another of the royal dynasties closest to Juan Carlos I are the Al-Saud. One of the Emeritus's closest figures was then King of Arabia Khaled Bin Abdelaziz (Riyadh, 1913). The former Saudi leader was a key figure at the beginning of Juan Carlos I's reign.

According to reports, shortly after ascending the throne, Juan Carlos I received 10 million dollars. A gift that came from the former King of Arabia. After Khaled's death, his brother Fahd bin Abdulaziz (Riyadh, 1921) succeeded him on the throne.

The new King of Arabia used to visit Spain. Specifically Marbella, where he often met with the Emeritus. Both strengthened their ties and Fahd Bin became the first Saudi benefactor of the Emeritus King. His death in 2005 was a heavy blow for Juan Carlos I, whose relations with the royal family of Arabia have been marred by controversy.

One of them was Juan Carlos I's mediation in the construction of the AVE to Mecca. In 2020, the Supreme Court opened an investigation against Juan Carlos I. According to these investigations, in 2008 Felipe VI's father would have received 100 million dollars from the Ministry of Finance of Saudi Arabia.

This transaction would have taken place four years before the awarding of the works. Finally, the investigation was closed in May 2022.

One of the latest photographs of Juan Carlos I with a member of the royal dynasty of Arabia was last November. The Emeritus was talking with the crown prince of Saudi Arabia and son of the current King of Saudi Arabia, Salman bin Abdulaziz (Riyadh, 1935), Mohamed bin Salman (Riyadh, 1985), at the Yas Marina Formula 1 circuit.

Controversies, business, private trips, and million-dollar figures have marked the history of Juan Carlos I's relationships with the monarchies of the Persian Gulf. Today, a refuge for the Emeritus King.