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Spain

Spain’s Infanta Cristina separates from husband, Inaki Urdangarin

Infanta Cristina of Spain has separated from her husband, Inaki Urdangarin.

The couple, who have been married for 24 years and who have four children together, have parted just days after photos of Inaki Urdangarin holding hands with another woman appeared in the Spanish press.

In a brief statement, the couple said ”by mutual accord, we have decided to to separate. Our dedication to our children remains the same. Given that this is a private matter, we ask the utmost respect for all those involved.”

The statement was signed ”Cristina of Borbon and Inaki Urdangarin’.

Cristina and Inaki married in Barcelona in October 1997 and for several years were the golden couple of Spain’s royal family. They were given the titles Duke and Duchess of Palma de Mallorca on their marriage by Cristina’s father, King Juan Carlos. They welcomed their first child, Juan, in 1999 and went on to have two more sons, Pablo (2000) and Miguel (2002) as well as a daughter, Irene (2005).

However, by 2012, investigations had begun into Inaki Urdangarin’s financial affairs and the following year, his wife was named as a suspect in the case by the investigating judge. The couple lost their ducal titles and, in 2016, Infanta Cristina and Inaki Urdangarin both faced trial for fraud. Cristina was acquitted but her husband was found guilty of embezzlement and was eventually sentenced to almost six years in jail.

Cristina now lives in Geneva with their youngest child, Irene. Inaki has recently been allowed to serve his sentence on release under licence.

Infanta Cristina is the second child of King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain and sister of King Felipe VI. She has no formal role within Spain’s Royal Household.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.