• A file photo taken in the 1960s shows then Prince Juan Carlos of Spain, right, and his wife, then-Princess Sofia of Greece. AFP Photos
    A file photo taken in the 1960s shows then Prince Juan Carlos of Spain, right, and his wife, then-Princess Sofia of Greece. AFP Photos
  • Spain’s King Juan Carlos attends the official opening ceremony of the new Spanish square in Mostar on March 29, 2012. Srdjan Zivulovic/Reuters
    Spain’s King Juan Carlos attends the official opening ceremony of the new Spanish square in Mostar on March 29, 2012. Srdjan Zivulovic/Reuters
  • Gen Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, right, receives King Juan Carlos I of Spain at the Emirates Palace in April, 2014. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
    Gen Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, right, receives King Juan Carlos I of Spain at the Emirates Palace in April, 2014. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
  • File photo taken on August 28, 2009 shows Spain’s King Juan Carlos, left, and Prince Felipe at a summer dinner at Almudaina Palace in Palma de Mallorca. Jaime Reina/AFP Photo
    File photo taken on August 28, 2009 shows Spain’s King Juan Carlos, left, and Prince Felipe at a summer dinner at Almudaina Palace in Palma de Mallorca. Jaime Reina/AFP Photo
  • Spain’s King Juan Carlos reviews the troops during a visit to the military air base of Zaragoza on October 14, 2008. Luis Correas/Reuters
    Spain’s King Juan Carlos reviews the troops during a visit to the military air base of Zaragoza on October 14, 2008. Luis Correas/Reuters
  • Gen Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Cown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Force, right, meeting Spain’s king Juan Carlos I in Abu Dhabi in April 2014. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
    Gen Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Cown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Force, right, meeting Spain’s king Juan Carlos I in Abu Dhabi in April 2014. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
  • King Juan Carlos I, right, and his son Crown Prince Felipe, left, before the opening session of the new Spanish Parliament in Madrid, Spain on December 27, 2011. Emilio Naranjo/EPA
    King Juan Carlos I, right, and his son Crown Prince Felipe, left, before the opening session of the new Spanish Parliament in Madrid, Spain on December 27, 2011. Emilio Naranjo/EPA
  • A file picture taken in May 1962 shows then Prince Juan Carlos of Spain and his wife, Princess Sofia of Greece, posing in Athens shortly after their wedding. AFP Photo
    A file picture taken in May 1962 shows then Prince Juan Carlos of Spain and his wife, Princess Sofia of Greece, posing in Athens shortly after their wedding. AFP Photo
  • Members of the Spanish royal family (from left to right) Princess Letizia, Crown Prince Felipe, Infanta Elena, Infanta Cristina and King Juan Carlos watch a military parade during Spain’s National Day in Madrid in this October 12, 2009. Dani Cardona/Reuters
    Members of the Spanish royal family (from left to right) Princess Letizia, Crown Prince Felipe, Infanta Elena, Infanta Cristina and King Juan Carlos watch a military parade during Spain’s National Day in Madrid in this October 12, 2009. Dani Cardona/Reuters
  • A photo taken on July 22, 1969 shows Spanish Head of State, General Francisco Franco, right, beside his successor Prince Juan Carlos, during a Cortes Session in Madrid. AFP Photo
    A photo taken on July 22, 1969 shows Spanish Head of State, General Francisco Franco, right, beside his successor Prince Juan Carlos, during a Cortes Session in Madrid. AFP Photo
  • A photo taken on October 12, 2012 shows from left to right, Crown Prince Felipe, King Juan Carlos and Princess Letizia attending the Spanish National day military parade in Madrid. Dominique Faget/AFP Photo
    A photo taken on October 12, 2012 shows from left to right, Crown Prince Felipe, King Juan Carlos and Princess Letizia attending the Spanish National day military parade in Madrid. Dominique Faget/AFP Photo
  • A picture taken on June 10, 1971 shows Prince Juan Carlos of Bourbon, left, and and Spanish Head of State General Francisco Franco, right, attending the Victory Parade in Madrid. AFP Photo
    A picture taken on June 10, 1971 shows Prince Juan Carlos of Bourbon, left, and and Spanish Head of State General Francisco Franco, right, attending the Victory Parade in Madrid. AFP Photo
  • Then Prince Juan Carlos of Spain playing with his son Don Felipe who was driving a cart in the gardens of Zarzuela Palace in Madrid, on October 31, 1975. AFP Photo
    Then Prince Juan Carlos of Spain playing with his son Don Felipe who was driving a cart in the gardens of Zarzuela Palace in Madrid, on October 31, 1975. AFP Photo

In pictures: through the years with Spain’s King Carlos


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Spain’s King Juan Carlos will be abdicating to pave the way for his son Crown Prince Felipe to take over, after having been crowned in 1975. A look at pictures of the king through the years.