Who Is the Last King of Spain?
When people ask “Who is the last king of Spain?” they usually refer to the most recent monarch who has reigned on the Spanish throne. In the present day, that title belongs to King Felipe VI, who ascended the throne on 19 June 2014 after the abdication of his father, Juan Carlos I. However, Spanish history contains several “last kings” depending on the period examined – from the final Habsburg sovereign to the contemporary monarch of a constitutional monarchy. This article traces the lineage and explains why Felipe VI is considered the current and last king in the modern era.
1. The End of the Habsburg Era: Charles II
The Spanish monarchy was ruled by the Habsburgs for over two centuries, beginning with Philip II in 1556. The dynasty ended with the death of Charles II in 1700, who was the final monarch of the Spanish Habsburg line. Charles II’s inability to produce an heir sparked the War of Spanish Succession, leading to the ascension of the Bourbon dynasty. In this context, Charles II is often cited as the last king of a particular era – the Habs
