Royals

Royals charged with tax fraud

The couple faces at least eight years in jail if found guilty.

Spain’s Princess Cristina has become the first member of the country’s royal family to be put on trial.

The BBC reports that Princess Cristina is charged with being an accomplice in an alleged embezzlement scam involving her husband, who denies the charges.

The couple arrived at court on the Mediterranean island of Mallorca on Monday for the start of a historic trial.

It is the first time a member of Spain’s royal family has faced criminal charges since the monarchy was restored in 1975.

“Princess Cristina, 50, faces eight years in jail if found guilty by a three-member panel of judges,” the report says.

She is accused of two counts of tax fraud, carrying a maximum prison sentence of eight years, for allegedly failing to declare taxes on personal expenses paid by a real estate company she owned with her husband.

Her husband, Olympic medallist Inaki Urdangarin, faces a more serious charge of using his Duke of Palma title to embezzle about $6.5 million.

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