King Juan Carlos I Sues Former Cantabria President Miguel Ángel Revilla for Defamation
Former Spanish King Juan Carlos I has initiated legal proceedings against Miguel Ángel Revilla, the ex-president of Cantabria, following comments made by Revilla in May 2022 and January 2025 that the king regards as offensive and defamatory. According to sources from Zarzuela, the royal residence, the lawsuit is a personal initiative by the emeritus king, undertaken through his private lawyers, with no consultation from the Royal House.
The law firm representing King Juan Carlos, Novalex, has filed a request for a reconciliation act in the courts of first instance located in Santander. Furthermore, the lawyer Guadalupe Sánchez Baena, acting on behalf of Juan Carlos I, has demanded a correction of the statements in the same media outlets where the comments were made.
In addition to seeking a public correction, King Juan Carlos is also pursuing compensation for moral damages amounting to 50,000 euros. Notably, this compensation is intended to be donated to Cáritas Spain, a charity organization dedicated to social action and community aid.
This legal action underscores the ongoing complexities surrounding the former monarch's legacy and public image in Spain. The involvement of high-profile legal representatives like Guadalupe Sánchez, who is also known for representing political figures such as Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the President of Madrid, adds another layer of significance to this case.
As public discourse surrounding the monarchy continues, this lawsuit is likely to attract significant attention, both in the media and from the public, as it raises questions regarding freedom of speech and the limits of criticism towards former royals.
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