The Spanish Bourbon family had a “day of anguish and humiliation” when the daughter of Spain’s king was questioned in court last Friday, according to the Financial Times.
The Bourbons were once considered untouchable. But Christina Bourbon is now a suspect in a case of alleged embezzlement of public funds by her husband.
The privileges to which so-called royalty believe themselves entitled were not quite stripped away. Christina Bourbon was allowed to arrive at court in a car so that she could avoid the news media and republican demonstrators outside. Press and public were excluded from the hearing.
Although this was the first court appearance by a Bourbon since the people of Spain were denied the right of republican government 40 years ago, she may also have been comforted by the portrait of her father hanging behind the judge.
Ms. Bourbon told the judge that she had trusted her husband. One the lawyers present told the press that “95% of her answers are evasive. She is calm, relaxed and well prepared.”
Fewer than half of the people of Spain want their country to keep the feudal institution according to a poll last month.