Former King of Spain stuck in Abu Dhabi as airspace closed amid Iran conflict

Lewis Henderson

By Lewis Henderson


Published: 02/03/2026

- 14:51

The exiled King of Spain has lived in the United Arab Emirates for over five years

The former King of Spain is understood to be stuck in Abu Dhabi, as the area's airspace is closed.

The father of King Felipe VI moved to Abu Dhabi in 2020 and has been living in a hotel in the city during the escalating conflict due to renovations at his home.


Sources have told HOLA that the exiled King of Spain is "calm and safe", but noted that "anything can happen".

They stated that the former monarch "cannot leave" the area due to the airspace being closed.

King Juan Carlos of Spain, Abu Dhabi King Juan Carlos of Spain 'cannot leave' Abu Dhabi | REUTERS/GETTY

The conflict erupted on February 28 after the US and Israel launched co-ordinated strikes on Iran, with Tehran responding by hitting several countries across the Middle East.

One missile struck just 10km from the five-star St Regis hotel in Amman, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stayed during their Jordan visit just one day before.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent their nights in the same suite the Prince and Princess of Wales used for their "faux royal tour" of Jordan.

Jordan is one of a number of countries in the Middle East that have seen missiles strike its land from Iran, with America strongly condemning the move, in a joint statement with Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Abu Dhabi

Smoke has been seen across the skyline in Abu Dhabi

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REUTERS

The countries said Iran's actions represented a "dangerous escalation" and endangered civilians, with all nations reaffirming their right to self-defence.

Jordan's airspace is temporarily closed, the country's state news agency announced.

The Royal Family have remained close with the royals in Jordan, with Prince William and Catherine attending Crown Prince Hussein's wedding in Amman two years ago.

King Charles holds a strong relationship with King Abdullah II, the Crown Prince's father.

Prince Harry, Meghan MarkleThe Duke and Duchess of Sussex departed Jordan on February 27, just one day before strikes were launched | REUTERS

Queen Elizabeth II also had a good friendship with King Abdullah's father, King Hussein, who passed away in 1999.

Charles mentioned this on a visit to Amman in 2021, telling local media then: "I feel this friendship in the most personal of ways, as Jordan has always been part of my life.

"His Majesty King Hussein came to the throne in 1952, the same year as my dear mother, the Queen. They would be of great mutual support to each other through the decades ahead."

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent two days in Jordan, departing on February 27, just one day before the US and Israel launched their attack on Iran.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle

Harry and Meghan were invited to Jordan by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation

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GETTY

The pair were seen hugging and comforting young cancer patients and their families during an emotional outing when they visited the King Hussein Cancer Centre.

Meghan rushed to console a distressed mother from Gaza, holding her hands and consoling her as the mother spoke about her son's fight with leukaemia.

The duchess met Huda Ramadan Alrhawjara and hugged her as she explained that her son, Mohammed, had suffered a recurrence of leukaemia during the conflict between Hamas and Israel in Gaza.

Ms Alrhawjara told Meghan: "It doesn't matter if it takes four years, what matters is to have him healthy."