Spain's Princess Cristina facing trial

Dec 22, 2014 Spain’s Princess Cristina To Face Unprecedented Fraud Trial (Image source: Getty Images / David Ramos) BY CLIFF JUDY A long-running investigation that got a Spanish princess banned from royal events and may have even played a part in her father abdicating the throne will go to trial. In unprecedented accusations, prosecutors say Princess Cristina helped her husband embezzle millions of dollars from local governments nearly a decade ago. While her attorneys have repeatedly declared her innocence over the years, prosecutors say a company run by Cristina’s husband vastly overcharged to run sporting events and then transferred some of that money to another company owned by the couple. (Video via Sky News & Euronews) The scandal not only tarnished the princess’ reputation, but that of her father — an impressive feat when you consider how beloved King Juan Carlos was during his four decades on the throne. Instead of keeping control of Spain as a dictator when he was named king in the mid-70’s, King Juan Carlos led the country’s transition into democracy and free elections. Still, when the king abdicated the throne in June, his health, a lavish hunting trip during tough economic times and the lingering investigation into his daughter were among the most cited reasons Juan Carlos stepped down. (Video via BBC) Princess Cristina and her husband are two of more than a dozen defendants who’ll now stand trial in the tax fraud case. She remains sixth in line to the Spanish throne. This video includes images from Getty Images.

euronews Videos A flamboyant aristocrat and Spain’s richest woman, the Duchess of Alba has died aged 88. Maria del Rosario Cayetena Fitz-James had reportedly more titles than any other person on the planet. A one-time society beauty, in later life with her shock of frizzy hair – sometimes dyed a whimsical red at other times a snowy white – she fascinated and appalled in almost equal measure. She was thrice married. Six years after the death of her first husband she wed a defrocked Jesuit priest. But it was the union with her third husband which provoked a bigger scandal. Three years ago she wed a civil servant 25 years her junior. She mixed with world figures and was famous for hosting Jackie Kennedy on her visits to Spain. Her antics filled the gossip columns and gripped viewers of TV chat shows even during the final months of her life. She rubbed shoulders with royalty and was often described as the “rebel noble”. Art was a passion and she amassed a private collection said to rival any in Europe. An abiding image for many Spaniards is when the Duchess entertained onlookers in Seville at her third wedding. She kicked off her shoes, hiked up her dress and performed an impromptu flamenco dance outside her palace.

How to stop the Ebola virus outbreak

Felipe VI

Jun 19, 2014 Can Spain's Felipe VI Restore Monarchy's Image? (Image source: CBS) BY ERIK SHUTE ​Even amid a shocking World Cup elimination, the streets of Madrid had something to cheer about Thursday as Spain crowned a new king. "There are ceremonies to mark a new king of Spain. King Felipe VI was formally sworn in. The ceremony was low-key. His father, Juan Carlos, abdicated the throne at age 76." (Via WABC) The 46-year-old king takes the throne at a time when the Spanish monarchy's ratings are at their lowest point. The country faces a double-dip recession and unemployment rates reaching 26 percent. (Via Flickr / Richter Frank-Jurgen) The king's father, former King Juan Carlos I, ruled for more than 40 years but announced his abdication three weeks ago. He's credited with bringing democracy to Spain but also sinking the monarchy's reputation with a luxury lifestyle and no transparency. (Via Euronews, Flickr / Pedro de Matos) While speaking to the Spanish Parliament, Felipe VI urged for a united nation. The Washington Post quotes him speaking to lawmakers: "Today, more than ever, the people rightly demand our public lives be guided by ... moral and ethical principles." In response to the speech, BBC News added: "But this cannot be business as usual for the Spanish monarchy, and the new king seems to accept that. Now, he has to deliver on his promise." Many in the media pointed out the normally extravagant ceremonies now depicted a humble beginning Thursday. CBS noted they seemed deliberately simple to downplay the monarchy's grandiose image. Standing at Felipe's side through each reception was his wife, Queen Letizia Ortiz. "Good Morning America" explains her marriage is a true Cinderella story and similar to another famous royal couple. "She's a blue-collar beauty and he a blue-blood prince educated at Georgetown. … Her middle-class background has many comparing her to another famous royal, and like Kate, she's quickly becoming a fashion icon." (Via ABC) Headlines have dubbed her the "middle-class Queen," and others drew comparisons to Prince William's wife, Kate Middleton. (Via CTV, The Globe and Mail) As the ceremonies finish, the royal family will write their own history with some uncertainty. In a recent poll by Spanish newspaper El Pais, crowning Felipe boosted the popularity of the royals. However, nearly two-thirds of Spanish citizens also support the idea of a referendum on whether Spain should continue to be a constitutional monarchy.

Abdication ceremony