MADRID, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez met King Felipe VI on Wednesday for the first time since Felipe's father and former king Juan Carlos I announced last week that he was leaving the country.

The meeting took place in the Palacio de Marivent, which is the Spanish royal family's residence in Mallorca.

Juan Carlos' whereabouts are still unknown over a week after he abandoned Spain in a move that has been seen as an attempt to protect the image of the royal family following the opening of an investigation into financial irregularities surrounding the former monarch.

There is speculation that Juan Carlos traveled to Portugal and from there flew to either Abu Dhabi or the Dominican Republic, but speaking to the press after the meeting, Sanchez refused to reveal his whereabouts.

"Conversations and meetings with the King will remain under the required confidentiality," said the prime minister, who insisted it was not for him to say where Juan Carlos has taken up residence.

"We are different institutions. Executive power is one thing and the Head of State is another and it is the Royal Household or the person himself, who has to give the news," explained Sanchez. Enditem

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