A file photo taken on October 11, 2005 shows Spain's King Juan Carlos (R) chatting with his son Prince Felipe before a meeting of Army Defence chiefs at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid. Spain's 76-year-old King Juan Carlos will abdicate in favour of his son, Prince Felipe, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced on June 2, 2014. AFP PHOTO
DPA/Madrid
Spanish King Juan Carlos, 76, is to abdicate the throne, Prime Minister Marianjo Rajoy said Monday.
Rajoy said he received an "official statement" from the monarch, who is to address the Spanish people later in the day explaining why he is stepping down. Rajoy said Crown Prince Felipe will step into the
monarch's role, taking the name Felipe VI.
Although he has been plagued by health problems for months, the news still comes as a surprise, as Juan Carlos has long ruled out abdication.