Spain’s princess in court over corruption scandal

For the first time in Spain's history, a member of Spain's royal family has appeared in court as a subject of a criminal investigation.

Princess Cristina, the daughter of Spanish King Juan Carlos, was questioned over alleged complicity in a corruption scandal involving her husband's business dealings.

The 48-year-old appeared before a judge on Saturday for a closed-door hearing on the island of Majorca in the rare royal spectacle that has raised questions over the future of the monarchy.

Appearing for a closed-door hearing in Majorca, the monarch stood accused of being an accomplice in the business dealings of her husband Inaki Urdangarin, who is also under investigation.

Both have yet to be formally charged with any crime and deny any wrongdoing.

Judge Jose Castro has spent more than two years investigating allegations that Urdangarian and a former business partner embezzled €6 million in public funds via a charitable foundation.

Cristina was a member of the foundation's board and jointly owned Aizoon with her husband. Investigators are suspecting that the company served as a front for laundering embezzled money.

State prosecutors say there is no case to answer against Cristina, but the judge has allowed suits filed by pressure groups.

After Saturday's hearing, Castro could formalise the charges and move to trial, or he could drop the charges or allow the princess to plea to lesser charges.

More than 200 extra police officers were on hand in Palma de Mallorca in case of protests near the courthouse and road blocks were put up in the neighbourhood.