Spain’s King Felipe strips sister of title

Spain’s King FelipeVI has stripped his sister Princess Cristina of her title as Duchess of Palma de Mallorca in the latest move to distance the royal family from the princess as she awaits trial for tax fraud.

Cristina, 49, has been indicted as part of a four-year probe into her husband, Inaki Urdangarin, who faces charges including money-laundering and fraud. Urdangarin automatically loses his title as duke at the same time. The couple’s trial is expected late this year.

Cristina’s lawyer, Miquel Roca, said the princess had sent a letter to the king asking for the title to be removed but the palace said the king had made the decision before the letter arrived and told his sister of the decision by phone.