Royal scandal as Spanish princess charged with corruption

Princess Cristina, the sister of newly-crowned King Felipe VI of Spain, has been formally charged with tax fraud and money laundering.

15:39 25 June 2014

Spanish King Felipe VI’s sister, Princess Cristina de Borbon and her husband, have been formally charged in a court in Palma de Mallorca on counts of tax fraud and money laundering. 

 

This is the last step before a trial can begin, which is expected to focus on her husband's, Inaki Urdangarin, dealings leading to accusation of embezzling several millions of euros in public funds from contracts awarded to a charitable foundation. 

 

In February, Ms De Borbon, was questioned by a judge over business accounts allegedly showing that public money was used for their personal expenses including work done on their Barcelona mansion. 

 

The couple are given the opportunity to study the ruling and have the option to appeal before any trial will begin. 

 

Ms De Borbon and her husband, who married in 1997, were assigned the titles Duke and Duchess of Palma. 12 years after they were married, they moved to Washington where Mr Urdangarin worked as an executive in the telecommunications industry. 

 

The charges come a week after King Felipe promised an “open and transparent” monarchy after he took over from his father who stepped down.