The Mistress´s Revenge As London Court Gives Green Light For Royal Trial

The former king Juan Carlos´s troubles continue as the High Court in London has ruled that he could face trial for alleged harassment of his former mistress, Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein.

The court ruled last week that as Juan Carlos is no longer head of state and does not hold immunity from prosecution.

The harassment case was brought by his former mistress covering the years 2012 and 2020, who is seeking a restraining order against him, as well as compensation for her “distress and anxiety”.

Her lawyers said that the ruling demonstrated that Juan Carlos “cannot hide behind position, power, or privilege”.

“This is the first step on the road to justice; the appalling facts of this case will finally be brought before the court,” read the statement released by her lawyers.

Juan Carlos abdicated in 2014 in favour of his son, Felipe II, the current monarch.

Judge Matthew Nicklin ruled that because her claim against Juan Carlos involves private acts in the aftermath of a romantic relationship, he does not have legal immunity under either Spanish or British law.

“Whatever status the defendant has under Spanish law and the constitution, he is no longer a ‘sovereign’ or ‘head of state’ conferring personal immunity,” he ruled.

He also highlighted that neither the Spanish government or Spanish Royal Family have clarified his current status as a member of the family.

Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein had an “intimate romantic relationship” with the former monarch between 2004 and 2009.

In 2020,  Juan Carlos was investigated investigated by judicial authorities over financial dealings, including assets kept in tax havens.

Juan Carlos left Spain to live in the United Arab Emirates in August 2021 and where he still resides.

The Spanish state prosecutors have this year dropped the case against him after the payment covering much of his financial irregularities.

This year the Spanish media published an open letter from Juan Carlos to his son seeking to apologise for the damage he has caused and with the hope that he may visit Spain to see his family and friends in a private capacity.

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