This is the moment Spain’s disgraced former king Juan Carlos I received a standing ovation from the crowds at an Easter bullfight in Sevilla.

The ex-monarch was met with a huge ovation on Sunday afternoon as he arrived at the iconic Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza for one of the most anticipated bullfights of the year.

The emeritus king, attending the Domingo de Resurreccion corrida, drew loud applause from the packed stands.

Some commentators online branded the moment ‘shameful’, following years of scandal and alleged crimes that led him to move to Abu Dhabi in the Middle East, where he has been living in exile since 2020.

Juan Carlos took his seat in the bullring’s main box alongside his daughter Infanta Elena, rather than the traditional Royal Box, which remained closed.

He was joined by senior figures from the Real Maestranza, an institution with which he has long-standing ties, having previously held the honorary role of Hermano Mayor.

His appearance added further weight to an already headline-grabbing event.

The corrida had attracted huge attention due to the return of legendary matador Morante de la Puebla, making his comeback after months away from the ring.

He shared the bill with Roca Rey and David de Miranda in what is widely seen as one of the standout dates of the bullfighting calendar.

Earlier in the day, Juan Carlos had been spotted arriving in central Sevilla, entering a hotel near Calle Castelar at around 1pm.

He has flown in from Abu Dhabi, where he has been living since abandoning Spain in the wake of various scandals in 2020.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.