Overview
- The emeritus king acknowledges accepting $100 million from Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah in 2008, calling it a serious mistake and describing it as a gift between monarchies.
- Spanish judicial probes that examined possible links between the payment and a Saudi high‑speed rail contract were closed years ago.
- In his first interview since relocating to Abu Dhabi in 2020, he underscores his role in Spain’s transition, saying democracy did not fall from the sky and lamenting the loss of the transition’s spirit.
- He recounts the 1981 crisis as three coups and accuses longtime aide Alfonso Armada of betrayal for persuading generals he spoke in the king’s name.
- The book, co‑written with Laurence Debray and titled Reconciliación, is set to be published by Stock in France on November 5 and in Spain by Planeta shortly afterward.