Princess Cristina stands trial on tax fraud charges in Palma

Details of the investigation into the royal family emerged during the economic crisis when Spain was grappling with record unemployment and austerity and tapped into popular disgust at cases of high-level corruption among bankers and politicians.

Cristina arrived with her husband to be greeted by a barrage of TV and press cameras. Dressed simply in a grey trouser suit, she sat motionless in the courtroom, fronted by a framed photo of King Felipe while the accusations were read out. Her lawyers asked judges to drop the criminal charges against her as state prosecutors had previously said there was insufficient evidence to back up the accusations.

The charges were filed by the Manos Limpias (Clean Hands) anti-corruption organization using a Spanish legal instrument known as the ‘people’s accusation’. The Spanish legal system is under pressure to get tough on corruption after a string of graft cases involving the establishment from the main political parties to bankers like former International Monetary Fund head Rodrigo Rato.

“The law must be equal for all,” said newspaper El País today in an editorial which said the fact the probe had come to trial showed the legal system worked, albeit at a slow pace.

Urdangarin, a former Olympic handball player, who was seated apart from his wife in the court, is accused of using his royal connections to win public contracts to put on events through the non-profit organisation.

The other 16 people in the dock included Jaume Matas, the former Balearic president and Spanish cabinet minister. and other high-ranking officials from the islands and Valencia.