Spain's crown Prince Felipe and his wife Letizia will fly to Johannesburg for the World Cup final against Holland, but the ailing King Juan Carlos and the country's prime minister will remain at home.

Juan Carlos, 72, underwent an operation on May 8 to remove a benign growth on his lungs, and he has rarely appeared in public since resuming his activities on May 21.

"He is still recovering and the 10-hour trip (to Johannesburg) is too long," a spokesman for the royal palace said.

Queen Sofia was in the stands for Spain's semi-final win over Germany on Wednesday, and she is remaining in South Africa for the final against Holland, the spokesman said.

Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who was in Vienna with Juan Carlos to watch Spain win the European championship in 2008, will not be attending the World Cup final, Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega said.

"We will be very well represented by the members of the royal palace," she said.

Mr Zapatero said yesterday that he could not attend the match due to work pressure.

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