MADRID: Spanish King Felipe VI on Saturday paid homage to his father Juan Carlos as the former monarch, fresh from celebrating his 80th birthday, made a public comeback after complaining bitterly of being left on the sidelines.

Appearing in full military garb alongside his son, Queen Letizia and his wife Sofia at the royal palace in Madrid, Juan Carlos met Spain’s army, navy and air force chiefs at a traditional military ceremony held at the start of every year.

The show of unity comes at a trying time for Spain after the wealthy Catalan region attempted to break away, and where 47 per cent of voters want to live in an independent, monarchy-free republic.

It also puts Juan Carlos, credited for leading Spain to democracy after decades of dictatorship but who abdicated in 2014 after a series of scandals, back on the public scene.

Felipe congratulated his father on turning 80 on Friday, drawing a smile from the elderly former monarch, who now walks with a stick.

“Congratulations your majesty and thank you also for so many years of loyal service to Spain,” he said, asPrime Minister Mariano Rajoy and his defence and interior ministers looked on.

Widely lauded for his negotiating skills, political acumen and his role in defusing an attempted coup in 1981, Juan Carlos fell from grace during Spain’s economic crisis as his lavish lifestyle drew anger.

Adding fuel to fire, his daughter Princess Cristina and her husband Inaki Urdangarin were embroiled in a corruption and tax fraud investigation, with the latter since found guilty of siphoning off millions to fund a lavish lifestyle. Cristina was acquitted.

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2018