King speaks!

[CN]carlos: When I was proclaimed king, nearly four decades ago,
[CN]carlos: I took on a firm commitment to serve Spain's general interest,
[CN]carlos: moved by the desire to make citizens the agents of their own destinies and for our nation to become
[CN]carlos:  a modern democracy, one that was fully integrated into Europe.
[CN]carlos: I proposed leading the exciting national task of allowing citizens to choose their legitimate
[CN]carlos: representatives and to carry out the great, positive transformation that we all needed so much.
[CN]carlos: Today, when I look back, I cannot help feeling proud and grateful to you
[CN]carlos: Proud because of the many good things we have achieved together throughout the years
[CN]carlos: And grateful for your support, which has made my reign - which I began as a young man at a time of
[CN]carlos: great uncertainty and difficulty
[CN]carlos: a long period of peace, freedom, atability and progress.
[CN]carlos: Loyal to the political wiches of my father, from whom I inherited the historical legacy of the Spanish monarchy
[CN]carlos: I have always wanted to be a king for all Spaniards.
[CN]carlos:  I identified with your aspirations, felt joy at your successes and suffered when pain of suffering overwhelmed you.
[CN]carlos: The recession has felt serious scars in the social fabric, but it is also poining out a future
[CN]carlos: path that is filled with hope
[CN]carlos: There difficult years have enabled us to do some critical stocktaing to analyze our mistakes and limitations as a society
[CN]carlos: On the other hand, they have also reactivated the prouf awareness of what we have been and continue to be
[CN]carlos: a great nation.
[CN]carlos: All of this has awakened whitin us a desire for renewal, for self-improvement, for correcting our mistakes
[CN]carlos: and for paving the way to a decidedly better future.
[CN]carlos: A new generation is legitimately demanding a central role in the forging of the future.
[CN]carlos: A younger generation with new energy has the determination and reforms demanded by the current situation.
[CN]carlos: My sole ambition has always been, and always will be, to help attain progress for all Spaniards in climate of freedom
[CN]carlos: I want the best for Spain to which I have dedicated my entire life and at whose service I have placed all my aility
[CN]carlos: my enthusiasm and work
[CN]carlos: My son Felipe, Prince of Austirias and heir to the Crown
[CN]carlos: embodies the stability that is a defined feature or our monarchy
[CN]carlos: When I turned 76 last January
[CN]carlos: I felt that the time had come to prepare the handoved to make way for someone who is in the best possible conditions to maintain that stability
[CN]carlos: The Prince of Austrias has the maturity, training and sens of responsibility that are necessary to fully
[CN]carlos: guaranteee his position as head of state and begin a new period of hope that combines acquired expirience
[CN]carlos: with the thrust of a new generation.
[CN]carlos: I am sure he will always be able to count on the support of Princess Letizia
[CN]carlos: And so, guided by the firm belief that I am doing the best service to Spaniards, and now
[CN]carlos: that I have recovered physically and gone back to my institutional activites
[CN]carlos: I have decided to bring my reign to en end and abdicate the Spanish crown.
[CN]carlos: I wish to express my gratitude to the Spanish people
[CN]carlos: to all the individuals who have embodied the state's powers and agencies during my reign
[CN]carlos: and everyone who has generously and loyally helped me perform my duties.
[CN]carlos: My gratitude also goes out to Queen Sofia, whose cooperation and generous support have never failes me
[CN]carlos: Spain will always be in my heart