Queen Letizia and King Felipe snubbed the disgraced King Juan Carlos of Spain's birthday party, it has been claimed.
The former monarch celebrated his 86th birthday with a party surrounded by family members, Queen Letizia and King Felipe VI did not attend.
The former King is a controversial figure in Spain, who has been involved in a long-running legal battle with his former lover.
Juan Carlos marked his birthday with a regal party on January 5 in Abu Dhabi, where he has resided for the past four years.
Queen Letizia and King Felipe snub disgraced Juan Carlos of Spain's birthday party
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The 86-year-old, who abdicated the throne in 2014, was pictured slicing a Spanish coat of arms-themed birthday cake with a curve-edged sword.
Among Juan Carlos's 100 guests were his daughters, Infanta Elena and Infanta Cristina.
His grandchildren Felipe, Victoria de Marichalar, Irene, and Pablo were also in attendance.
Photographs showed close friends and family celebrating the former monarch.
Juan Carlos abdicated the Spanish throne in 2014
PA
But Juan Carlos's eldest son and his wife Letizia were visibly missing from the celebration.
Juan Carlos does not always get to see his family since he moved to the United Arab Emirates.
His close friends Pedro Campos, the former King's regatta partner, restaurant-owner Miguel Arias, Jeronimo Paez, and Eduardo Anitua organised the party.
The four oversaw the celebration with the help of the former King's daughters, Elena, 60, and Cristina, 58.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia did not travel to Abu Dhabi for the birthday party
PA
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King Juan Carlos with his wife Queen Sofia in 2002
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A sweet image showed the family smiling for the cameras with a Spanish flag and a grand Christmas tree in the background.
Elena's daughter Victoria de Marichalar marked her grandfather's birthday on Instagram with a family photo captioned: "Congratulations, grandfather. I love you."
Sources told Hola Magazine: "He [Juan Carlos] is in good health, he wants to live and enjoy himself."
