Juan Carlos I, King of Spain, announced his pending abdication from the throne on 2 June 2014. An organic law formalizing the abdication, required by the 1978 Constitution in its article 57.5,[1] was drafted by the government and approved by the Cortes Generales, and was formally signed on 18 June during a ceremony in the Hall of Columns of the Royal Palace of Madrid. The abdication became effective at midnight (CEST) on 19 June, when it was subsequently published in the Official State Gazette.[2][3]
On the abdication of his father, the Prince of Asturias, Felipe de Borbón y Grecia, ascended the throne under the name Felipe VI.[4][5] Juan Carlos retained the title of king emeritus for life, with the ceremonial functions entrusted to him by Felipe.[6][7][8]