15 Facts About Juan Carlos

1. In 1969, Juan Carlos was named as General Franco's successor and was given the title of 'Prince of Spain'.

2. Juan Carlos is a member of the World Scout Foundation and of the Sons of the American Revolution.

3. In July 2000, Juan Carlos was the target of an enraged protester when former priest Juan Maria Fernandez y Krohn, who had once attacked Pope John Paul II, breached security and attempted to approach the king.

4. Juan Carlos is the commander-in-chief of the Spanish armed forces.

5. Juan Carlos had secret conversations with his father over the telephone.

6. Juan Carlos continued to praise Franco and his government for the economic growth and positive changes in Spain.

7. In 1969, Juan Carlos was officially designated heir-apparent and was given the new title of Prince of Spain.

8. In 1957, Juan Carlos spent a year in the naval school at Marin, Pontevedra, and another in the Air Force school in San Javier in Murcia.

9. Juan Carlos began his studies in San Sebastian and finished them in 1954 at the San Isidro Institute in Madrid.

10. Juan Carlos moved to Spain in 1948 to be educated there after his father persuaded Franco to allow it.

11. Juan Carlos was given the name Juan Carlos after his father and maternal grandfather, Prince Carlos of Bourbon-Two Sicilies.

12. In 1981, Juan Carlos played a major role in preventing a coup that attempted to revert Spain to Francoist government in the King's name.

13. Juan Carlos spent his early years in Italy and came to Spain in 1947 to continue his studies.

14. Juan Carlos was seen by Franco to be too liberal and in 1969 was bypassed in favour of Juan Carlos as Franco's successor and next head of state.

15. Juan Carlos was born in Rome, Italy, during his family's exile.