August 5, 2020 - 3:00pm
Spain’s former King, Juan Carlos, announced this week — in a letter on his website — that he was leaving the country in the hope that his son, King Felipe VI, would be able to continue his reign “in tranquility”. In other words, free of the scandals engulfing his father. Within 24 hours he was gone, although his whereabouts were not definitely known — the Dominican Republic was mentioned — nor was it clear whether his exile was to be temporary or permanent.
It was a sad conclusion for a leader who had been hailed as the saviour of Spanish democracy when he defied a military coup attempt in 1981 and who had abdicated in favour of his son six years ago, following a previous scandal. Whether it was an ignominious departure, as some have described it, though, I am not sure. Exile has a certain dignity and elegance about it. It can also be — as his son recognised when he expressed his “heartfelt respect and gratitude” for his father’s decision — a kind of solution. As such, perhaps it should be used more often.
Some leaders will see it as more honourable to remain to the last and die at a victor’s hand if need be. Exile, though, surely offers a more merciful way out. King Constantine II of Greece spent more than 40 years holding unofficial court in the UK before returning quietly to his home country in 2013. The Shah of Iran was regarded as so toxic a potential guest that he had difficulty finding a country to accept him and died in Egypt in 1980 less than two years after losing his throne. Idi Amin — now there’s a long-lost name — ended his days in Saudi Arabia in 2003, more than 30 years after being removed by Tanzanian troops.
But the advantages of exile are clear when you consider some of the exiles who might have been. George V received a plea for exile from his cousin, the ousted Tsar of Russia, Nicholas II, but turned it down. The imperial family were gunned to death in a forest outside Yekaterinburg in the Urals.
In early 2003, there was a flurry of reports that Iraq’s leader, Saddam Hussein, had been offered exile in the UAE in an effort to avert the US-UK invasion. Although the then US President, George Bush, was apparently in favour, the deal came to nothing. Saddam Hussein was captured and hanged as a war criminal in 2006. And in 2016, as the conflict in Syria escalated, President Putin reportedly mooted the possibility of exile in Russia for President Bashar al-Assad. It is said, though, that he was unwilling to go — and remains in office four years later, the victor over a devastated country that is still not at peace.
The ancient Athenians institutionalised exile via an annual gathering that could vote — using names inscribed on pottery shards — to ostracise one fellow citizen for 10 years. There is no need to go to the lengths of formalising the process today, but exile, offered more routinely as a possible solution to otherwise intractable situations, seems very underused.
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SubscribeFunnily enough there is a song called ‘exile’ on Taylor Swift’s new album. Perhaps she knew something. Perhaps she was one of the king’s 5000+ conquests.
I’d hope the man had some taste aha
“Idi Amin ” now there’s a long-lost name ” ended his days in Saudi Arabia in 2003, more than 30 years after being removed by Tanzanian troops.”
Strange arithmetic. Deposed 1979. Died 2003. Somewhat less than thirty years.
Here in Spain, they don’t view JC’s exile quite so understandingly. His well-deserved popularity in the past, took a hit with the investigation of accepting commissions from the Saudi’s for the building of a train line, along with scandals of corruption, a lover and foreign bank accounts. Many here were awaiting his trial, but that may never come, now.
We tried a king once and look where that got us. No, I think exile is a better solution. Done and dusted.
I wish T Blair would take the hint.
Tony Blair is to much of “An Ordinary kind of guy” to Exile himself. Plus, he really needs his millions!
Did he also accept the billions with the same dignity and grace ?
Dignity and grace???