Juan Carlos I receives Prix Saint-Simon in France for his memoirs Reconciliación

Saint-Simon literary prize awarded in France

On 20 September 2026, former King of Spain Juan Carlos I attended a literary ceremony at the Richardière farm auditorium in La Ferté-Vidame, a rural municipality located roughly 135 kilometres southwest of Paris. The 88-year-old former monarch received the Prix Saint-Simon for his memoirs, titled Reconciliación, published in Spain by editorial Planeta in late 2025. The jury, chaired by Marc Lambron, awarded the prize by a broad majority of votes, recognizing the book's historical value and literary quality. Juan Carlos I prevailed over several finalists, including French philosopher Régis Debray, who is the father of the book's co-author Laurence Debray, as well as American artist Patti Smith. The accolade is the second literary honour granted to the work in France, following the Special Jury Prize for Political Book awarded at the French National Assembly in April 2026 by the association Lire la Société.

Address on exile and historical record

Speaking in French before more than 200 attendees, Juan Carlos I described the book as his final legacy to Spain, a country he led as head of state for nearly 39 years. He explained that he wrote his portion of the truth with sincerity after moving his residence to Abu Dhabi over six years ago, following financial investigations that prosecutors subsequently shelved. The former monarch delivered his remarks in French, recalling his early life born in Rome and raised in Switzerland and Portugal before moving to Spain at age ten. He noted that deciding to document his life was a step taken between doubts and wounds, but without bitterness.

This award confirms me in the category of men who choose to bear witness rather than remain silent. It is a choice more reckless than prudent that I have made, driven by the mission of writing for posterity.

Historical parallels with the Duke of Saint-Simon

Founded in 1975, the Prix Saint-Simon honours the memory of 18th-century French aristocrat Louis de Rouvroy, Duke of Saint-Simon (1675–1755), whose extensive writings documented the reign of King Louis XIV and the regency of Philippe of Orléans. In his acceptance speech, Juan Carlos I drew direct comparisons between his time in the United Arab Emirates and the Duke's retirement to La Ferté-Vidame to draft his historical accounts. He remarked that writing memoirs seemed to require physical separation from palace power, noting he needed the distance and quiet of Abu Dhabi to reflect on his past. He also noted that upon ascending the throne he chose to dispense with traditional royal court structures, foreseeing their risks.

I receive this award with enormous gratitude, for myself, but also for Spain, which I love so much, and to which, wherever I live, I will always belong.

Family support and maritime gathering in Galicia

The former monarch was accompanied at the French ceremony by his eldest daughter, Infanta Elena, and two of his granddaughters, Victoria Federica de Marichalar and Irene Urdangarin. The gathering in France concluded a multi-day trip that began on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, when Juan Carlos I arrived at Peinador airport in Vigo on a private flight from Cascais, Portugal. In Galicia, he participated in events tied to the 11th Rey Juan Carlos I International Regatta held from 18 to 20 September in the Ría de Pontevedra. During his stay in Sanxenxo, he met with relatives and close acquaintances, including María Zurita and her young son, before travelling to France for the prize presentation.