King Juan Carlos has spent the past few months pulling all kinds
of surprises as he tells all in a memoir that’s caused plenty of
debate in Spain and further afield. Now, as 2025 comes to an end,
he’s gone for another unexpected move and this time, it involves
puppies.
Juan Carlos and his wife, Queen Sofia, have revealed their
Christmas card for this year and taken everyone aback by showcasing
what’s got to be one of the cutest royal photos in years.
They’ve chosen a festive scene featuring five pet dogs, all of
them very small and very sweet, and it’s caused quite the stir.
King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia have lived apart, officially,
for five years since the former monarch went into self imposed
exile in August 2020 after controversy around his financial and
personal life. He now resides in Abu Dhabi although he’s often
said, and more noticeably in recent weeks, that he wants to return
to Spain.
Queen Sofia still lives in Madrid and continues to carry out a
range of engagements for Spain’s royal family. Just weeks ago, she
was given one of the country’s highest honours, the Toison d’Or, by
her son, King Felipe VI, for her service to Spain.
It was presented as the country marked fifty years since the
restoration of the monarchy. Controversially, King Juan Carlos
wasn’t invited to any of the public events for the anniversary
which also marked fifty years since the start of his reign.
Sofia and Juan Carlos have continued to send a joint card in
recent years and usually choose a nativity scene taken from
art.
However, this year it’s their dogs that are the stars of their
Christmas. Two cocker spaniels, two miniature schnauzers and tiny
peekapoo pose in front of a frost tinted Christmas tree.
The image was released at the same time as the festive greeting
of King Felipe and Queen Letizia who don’t stand a snowball’s
chance this Christmas as they’ve kept it all very sensible.
card sent this year by King Felipe and Queen Letizia of
Spain
The King and Queen of Spain posed for a photo with their two
daughters, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia, as the four visited
the village in Asturias which was given the prize for outstanding
community in this year’s prestigious Princess of Asturias
awards.
There’s an autumnal vibe to the image, taken in October, with
Leonor choosing an on trend mix of denim and suede for her outfit.
The trees are still in bloom, although the leaves are turning
orange, and it’s warm enough in this Christmas photo for Queen
Letizia to go without a coat.
It’s expected that King Juan Carlos will spend Christmas in Abu
Dhabi while King Felipe and Queen Letizia will celebrate in
Madrid.
Felipe VI will give his Christmas broadcast on Christmas Eve.
The Spanish royal address is much longer than other Christmas
messages, stretching to a good ten minutes, and it touches on
serious matters. It’s expected that this time round, King Felipe
will refer to the half century since the restoration of the
monarchy in his address.
However, once more, it’s his father who has grabbed the
headlines and this time by surprising everyone with puppies.
