Tears from Spain's King Juan Carlos as he quits throne

A tearful King Juan Carlos reacts next to his son Crown Prince Felipe during the signature ceremony. Photo: Reuters

Madrid: A teary-eyed King Juan Carlos has sealed his abdication of the Spanish crown after a four-decade reign, clearing the throne for his 46-year-old son, Felipe VI.
The 76-year-old monarch signed the act of parliament ending his reign with a golden pen at a ceremony in Madrid's Royal Palace on Wednesday, then hugged his son, who will be sworn in on Thursday morning.
The embrace between the elderly king and his heir under the palace's chandeliers marked the first royal succession in Spain's post-Franco history.

Prince Felipe of Spain and Princess Letizia of Spain attend the official abdication ceremony at the Royal Palace in Madrid, Spain. Photo: Getty

Dressed in a dark blue suit and pink tie, Juan Carlos, who uses a cane following repeated hip operations, stood unaided during part of the ceremony, but had to briefly hold Felipe's arm to steady himself.

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A band struck up the national anthem as Felipe in a dark suit, his wife and future queen Letizia in a black top and white skirt, and Juan Carlos's wife Queen Sofia, applauded the abdicating king.
Minutes earlier, cannons had fired a salute and shouts of "Long Live the King!" rang out as the royals arrived by car at the old palace in western Madrid.
Juan Carlos is credited with helping guide Spain to democracy after the death of the dictator Francisco Franco, but his popularity was damaged by scandals in recent years.
Madrid was bedecked with flags and flowers to hail the soon-to-be Felipe VI.
The new king is to be proclaimed after swearing to uphold the constitution and delivering a speech to parliament.
He and Letizia will then be driven through Madrid's streets and appear before the crowds on the front balcony of the Royal Palace.
Juan Carlos outraged Spaniards in 2012 by going on a luxurious African elephant-hunting safari during a recession, while Felipe's 49-year-old sister Cristina risks being put on trial for alleged tax fraud.