On 22 November 1975 , two days after the death of Francisco Franco , Juan Carlos became king . Near death , on 30 October 1975 , Franco gave full control to Juan Carlos . On 22 November , following Franco 's death , the Cortes Generales proclaimed Juan Carlos King of Spain and on 27 November , Juan Carlos was anointed king in a ceremony called Holy Spirit Mass , which was the equivalent of a coronation , at the JerÃ nimos Church in Madrid .