I lost a friend": the confidences of Juan Carlos I on Hassan II

Written in collaboration with the author Laurence Debray, the memoirs of King Juan Carlos I offer a unique insight into the relations between Spain and Morocco during the most decisive years of his reign. The book reveals details about his personal relationship with the late King Hassan II, a bond which, according to him, was crucial in resolving bilateral crises. "My special relationship with King Hassan II helped resolve many crises between our two neighboring countries," writes Juan Carlos I, recalling that their first contacts date back to 1975, during the Green March period, when Morocco recovered the Sahara.

The emeritus king devotes an important passage to the cities of Ceuta and Melilla, Spanish territories located on the northern coast of Africa and a traditional point of friction in relations between Madrid and Rabat. According to Juan Carlos I, Hassan II himself approached the issue with a mix of diplomacy and historical patience. "Morocco was our main economic partner, and as for the two Spanish cities located on the Moroccan coast, Ceuta and Melilla, Hassan II told me: the next generation will have to solve this issue," reports the Spanish monarch. These words, written more than two decades after Hassan II’s death, reflect the long-term vision with which the two leaders approached such a sensitive subject.

Throughout the book, Juan Carlos I remembers how his relationship with Hassan II transcended formal diplomatic channels. The two monarchs communicated directly by telephone to address specific problems or defuse emerging conflicts. "I would sometimes call him directly to try to settle or resolve an issue," he writes, stressing that his friendship with the Moroccan king helped him remain calm even in the most difficult moments. The emeritus king insists that this personal friendship has helped maintain institutional cordiality despite tensions. "Our friendship has brought stability to bilateral relations; the tensions between our administrations have not affected our cordial relations," he states in his memoirs.

The book also includes memories of Juan Carlos I’s first official visit to Morocco in 1979, just four years after the Green March, in a still delicate diplomatic context between the two countries. During this trip, the Spanish monarch met with all members of the Moroccan royal family, a meeting that marked the beginning of a relationship of trust. "I was impressed by King Hassan II’s intelligence; we spoke French with great ease. Over time, we built a simple and direct relationship, far from the pomp that characterizes the Moroccan court," he recalls. According to him, this connection proved crucial in strengthening bilateral cooperation in strategic areas such as the economy, security, and border management.

Juan Carlos I’s account also devotes a part to his last meeting with Hassan II, in July 1999, shortly before the Moroccan monarch’s death. "When the cancer had spread through his body, I went with Queen Sofia to celebrate his 70th birthday. He seemed serene and happy to be surrounded by his loved ones. Two weeks later, on July 23, 1999, he passed away. I lost a friend," writes the emeritus king with emotion. He compares this moment to the loss of King Hussein of Jordan, with whom he also had a very close relationship. "My children are friends with his, and my wife is a close friend of Queen Noor. My whole family went to Amman to attend his funeral," he states in his memoirs.