An exiled royal has recently shared insights into a tragic event that forever altered their life.
Back on March 29, 1956, just before Easter Sunday, a grave incident occurred within the Spanish royal family, resulting in the untimely death of a young prince, casting a somber veil over the household. Nearly seven decades later, the sibling who was involved in the fatal incident has broken their silence.
At the tender age of 14, Infante Alfonso of Spain, cherished as the beloved son of Infante Juan, Count of Barcelona, radiated as a bright presence within the family. Hailing from the lineage of Alfonso XIII, the King of Spain, Alfonso and his siblings carried significant responsibilities from a young age, yet managed to find moments of joy amidst their duties.
During his last days, Alfonso was enjoying a holiday with his family at Villa Giralda in Estoril, situated on the Portuguese Riviera. His final moments were filled with happiness, having triumphed in a local junior golf tournament. The presence of his elder brother, the future Juan Carlos I, who had returned from military school for the holidays, added to the jubilant atmosphere.
Following an evening mass, Alfonso hurried off to meet his 18-year-old brother, Juan Carlos, leading to an unforeseen tragedy.
Subsequent accounts of the incident varied slightly over the years, but the tragic outcome remained unchanged. A firearm was discharged, and a fatal shot struck the young prince in the forehead. By the time the Count of Barcelona rushed to the scene, Alfonso lay lifeless in a pool of blood, leaving the grief-stricken father holding onto his favorite child as he passed away.
The official statement from the Spanish embassy in Lisbon, issued under the authority of dictator Francisco Franco the following day, outlined the incident involving the accidental firing of a revolver that resulted in Alfonso’s death during a family gathering.
However, reports from the Italian press presented a different narrative, suggesting Juan Carlos inadvertently triggered the fatal shot while holding the firearm. Meanwhile, the boys’ mother recounted that Juan Carlos playfully aimed the gun at Alfonso, unknowingly causing the tragedy.
In his recent memoir, Réconciliation, Juan Carlos revisited the harrowing incident, expressing the profound impact it had on his life. He described the accidental discharge of the firearm that tragically took his brother’s life, a memory that would forever haunt him.
Despite the absence of a formal investigation or autopsy into Alfonso’s death, speculations continued to circulate. After laying Alfonso to rest, the Count of Barcelona disposed of the pistol in the ocean, leaving the family to grapple with the overwhelming sorrow.
Juan Carlos’s relationship with his father was irreparably damaged following the tragic event, marking a turning point in his life. His ascension to the throne in 1975 was marred by controversies, including extramarital affairs, tax fraud allegations, and public disapproval. Eventually, he abdicated in 2014, passing the crown to his son, Felipe VI, before facing further scrutiny for financial improprieties.
Despite the mixed opinions surrounding Juan Carlos, those close to him have shed light on the personal struggles he faced, especially in the aftermath of Alfonso’s death. The publication of Réconciliation is expected to provide deeper insights into Juan Carlos’s reflections on the tragic incident that shaped his life.
For more information or to share your story, contact julia.banim@reachplc.com.
