- Title: SPAIN-KING/CRISTINA Spain's king strips title of duchess from his sister
- Date: 12th June 2015
- Summary: PALMA MALLORCA, SPAIN (FILE - FEBRUARY 8, 2014) (REUTERS) ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** CAR CARRYING PRINCESS CRISTINA ARRIVING AND PRINCESS GETTING OUT OF CAR AND ENTERING COURTHOUSE CRISTINA SHAKING HANDS WITH SECURITY GUARDS AS SHE LEAVES COURT AND WALKING TO CAR CRISTINA GETTING IN CAR
- Embargoed: 27th June 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Spain
- Country: Spain
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA2URCF26G0V2018D8YY0WGX4ZQ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Spain's King Felipe VI has stripped the title of duchess from his sister, the palace said, heaping pressure on Cristina de Borbon to give up her succession rights as she prepares to stand trial on tax fraud charges.
The bold move by the 47-year-old king, crowned nearly a year ago after the abdication of his father Juan Carlos, was published in the Official State Bulletin (B.O.E.) on Friday (June 12) and is part of a bid to revive the image of a monarchy tarnished by scandals.
Cristina is due to stand trial as soon as this year and will be the first Spanish royal to face prosecution.
Graft investigations in Spain have exposed high-level corruption throughout society, damaging Spaniards' faith in their institutions.
The King's move was welcomed by Madrid residents on Friday.
"He's in sync with what is happening in Spain. There is a huge problem with corruption here and it can't carry on, change is needed and this is a small step forward," said Alirio Senrrea.
"I think that if the image his sister is giving due to her husband's situation is not good, it is a way of showing the people that the King is on our side and he doesn't accept any doubts regarding the behaviour of the royal house," said Lorena Cortes.
"I think that re-syncing the royal house with the people will be a long job that involves great detail and focus, but he is trying at least," said Madrid resident Yonanda.
The title of Duchess of Palma de Mallorca was conferred on Cristina by her father in 1997 when she married former Olympic handball player Inaki Urdangarin, who has been charged with fraud and embezzling public funds following a long-running investigation into his Noos Foundation charity.
Late last year, the couple as well as 15 others were ordered to stand trial following the probe.
No date has yet been set, although the case is expected to come to court in the latter half of this year.
Both have denied any wrong-doing. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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