Spanish King Juan Carlos's son to take over throne following shock abdication

After four decades on the throne, King Juan Carlos of Spain has abdicated.

By Dave Lancaster |

14:45 02 June 2014

The 76-year-old king expressed his plans to vacate the role in a televised address. He said: "A new generation must be at the forefront... younger people with new energies."

 

He called for "a drive for renewal, to overcome and correct mistakes and open the way to a decidedly better future"

 

While the majority of his reign saw him praised as one of the world's most popular monarchs, recent years have seen some Spaniards lost faith after his reputation was marred following a corruption investigation of the business dealings of his daughter and her husband. His image didn't get better when in 2012, he embarked on a costly elephant hunting trip in Botswana while his country further fell into financial crisis. 

 

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy confirmed the move: "His Majesty King Juan Carlos has just informed me of his desire to renounce the throne and begin 

 

The king's son, Prince Felipe, will become the new king. 

 

The 46-year-old prince “embodies stability. He has the maturity, the preparation and the sense of responsibility required to assume the throne” according to the king.

 

King Juan Carlos holds an important place in Spanish history as he claimed the throne following the death right-wing dictator General Francisco Franco who ruled for 36 years. He ignored the previous regime and helped bring about a new system of parliamentary based rule, turning the role of the king into less of a political force and more of a figurehead.