In his 500-page book, the 87-year-old former monarch reflects on well-known moments from Spain's history as well as his extramarital affairs and financial scandals.
Among its most controversial passages are Juan Carlos's warm words for Spain's late dictator General Francisco Franco and reflections on his role in the country's transition to democracy.
Sanchez told daily El Pais that while he had not yet read the memoirs, based on the excerpts he has seen "it will not be one of the books I recommend this Christmas."
"I will respond to some of the points that surprised me, about who did or didn't bring democracy. Democracy didn't just fall from the sky; it was the result of the struggle of the Spanish people, of everyday citizens," the Socialist premier added.
The memoir, "Reconciliation", was published in French on Wednesday and is set for a Spanish release on December 3.
"I gave freedom to the Spanish people by establishing democracy," Juan Carlos asserts in the book.
Franco separated Juan Carlos from his parents when he was 10 and groomed the boy to be his successor.
He was crowned two days after Franco's death in 1975.
Juan Carlos disappointed Francoists who hoped he would continue the dictator's legacy by quickly implementing reforms that led to democratic elections in 1977.
He abdicated in favour of his son, Prince Felipe, in 2014, and has lived in self-imposed exile in the United Arab Emirates since 2020.
Sanchez praised Spain's King Felipe VI in the El Pais interview, saying he was carrying out his duties "commendably".
Juan Carlos' memoirs have sparked criticism from other politicians.
Spain's Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun condemned the former monarch's praise for Franco on Thursday, calling it "sickening that nowadays someone would still dare to defend or justify the dictator".
Former Socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said Juan Carlos should have "tempered his words" about Franco, whose regime relied on executions and imprisonments of political opponents.
Juan Carlos wrote in the book that he decided to publish his memoirs because his story "was being stolen from me".
UK's King Charles honours nation's war dead
London (AFP) Nov 9, 2025 -
Britain's King Charles III on Sunday led commemorations for the nation 's war dead, along with other senior members of the royal family including his son William and his wife Catherine.
The 76-year-old monarch, who is still undergoing treatment for an undisclosed cancer, laid the first wreath at a sombre ceremony at the Cenotaph memorial in central London after the traditional two-minute silence at 11:00 am (1100 GMT).
Queen Camilla and Catherine, now in remission after her own cancer diagnosis, watched from the balcony of the Foreign Office overlooking the memorial.
Crowds lined the Whitehall area of the capital as political leaders, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, current and former members of the armed forces, and war veterans, paid their respects to British and Commonwealth soldiers killed in two world wars and other conflicts.
Around 10,000 armed forces veterans took part in a march-past, including around 20 who served in World War II.
Among those who took part was 101-year-old Sid Machin, one of the last survivors of the Burma (now Myanmar) campaign, who served as part of a special forces unit.
Other members of the royal family including Prince William also laid wreaths.
Prince Harry, 41, who is largely estranged from his family after quitting royal duties along with his wife Meghan in 2020, was not present.
Days ahead of the Remembrance Sunday events, however, he penned a piece released by his US office in which he expressed his pride at being British and urged people not to forget veterans.
The younger son of the king, who did two tours of duty in Afghanistan, said he had witnessed "courage and compassion in the harshest conditions imaginable".
"But I also saw how easy it can be, once the uniform comes off, for those who gave everything, to feel forgotten," he said.
On Saturday evening, William and Catherine's eldest son, Prince George, 12, attended his first tribute for soldiers killed in action at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
It was the first time George, second in line to the throne, had attended the Festival of Remembrance event organised annually by the Royal British Legion, an association dedicated to supporting veterans and their families.
The event, always attended by the monarch and senior members of the royal family, featured readings, prayers, videos and musical performances -- including a performance by Rod Stewart.
Related Links
Democracy in the 21st century at TerraDaily.com
| Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters |
| Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters |
