A Royal Court

King Juan Carlos said during one of his last Christmas speeches as monarch that everyone was equal in the eyes of the law. His speech came at a time when his own daughter, the Infanta Cristina, was the subject of much media speculation regarding her alleged role in her husband’s alleged illicit business activities. This week the words of the former king rang very true when his own daughter and her husband sat in a Palma courtroom. The Infanta Cristina will almost certainly be cleared, but she will still have to go to court and face the music. I think the Spanish monarchy deserves praise for the way it has handled the whole affair. It also underlines the fact that no one is above the law. For the Infanta Cristina the fact that the trial is taking place in Palma must be rather poignant for her: she has so many happy memories on the island. Shortly after her marriage to Iñaki Urdangarin, she was made Duchess of Palma de Mallorca and a Palma street was named in her honour. Once the allegations of wrongdoing were released, the street name was quickly changed. The massive court case which is taking place in Palma is judging whether Urdangarin and his business partner embezzled six million euros of public funds from regional authorities. Former Balearic President Jaume Matas is also standing trial. It is just one of a number of big alleged corruption trials which are due to take place on the island. But praise indeed for the royal family.