Princess Cristina faces tax fraud trial

Spanish monarch could spend up to eight years in jail if convicted

Visits to the palm-dotted Mediterranean island of Mallorca for Spain’s Princess Cristina used to mean luxurious stays at the seaside Marivent Palace — but the sister of King Felipe VI won’t get anywhere near the royal family’s official summer residence in a trip this week.

Instead, the 50-year-old princess and her husband are set to face anti-monarchy protesters and hordes of media today as they enter a makeshift courtroom and she makes history in front of millions of Spanish TV viewers as the first royal family member to face criminal charges since the monarchy was restored in 1975.