Princess Cristina, the 51-year-old sister of King Felipe and sixth in line to the Spanish throne, was cleared this morning in her tax fraud trial.
However, her husband, Inaki Urdangarin, was given a six year and three month jail term by the court in Palma, Mallorca. Urdangarin was accused of using his royal connections to generate business income used for private spending.
The case began in 2010 and became symbolic of perceived corruption among Spain’s elites, including the royals. Princess Cristina, who now lives in Switzerland, was the first member of Spain’s royal family to go on trial.
In 2015, King Felipe stripped her and Urdangarin, 49, of their titles as Duke and Duchess of Palma de Mallorca. Although she was absolved, Princess Cristina will have to pay a fine for civil responsibility.
