Infanta Cristina of Spain
| Infanta Cristina of Spain | |||||
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| Ex-Duchess de Palma de Mallorca | |||||
Infanta Cristina at the GAVI Alliance conference in London, 13 June 2011
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| Born | 13 June 1965 Madrid, Spain |
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| Spouse | Iñaki Urdangarín (m. 1997) | ||||
| Issue | Juan Urdangarín y de Borbón Pablo Urdangarín y de Borbón Miguel Urdangarín y de Borbón Irene Urdangarín y de Borbón |
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| House | House of Bourbon | ||||
| Father | Juan Carlos I of Spain | ||||
| Mother | Sophia of Greece and Denmark | ||||
| Religion | Roman Catholic | ||||
| Signature | |||||
| Royal styles of Cristina de Borbon |
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| Reference style | Her Royal Highness |
| Spoken style | Your Royal Highness |
| Alternative style | Ma'am |
| Spanish Royal Family |
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HM King Juan Carlos I HM Queen Sofía |
Infanta Cristina of Spain (Cristina Federica Victoria Antonia de la Santísima Trinidad de Borbón y de Grecia, born 13 June 1965) is the younger daughter of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía of Spain. As of 2015[update] she is fifth in the line of succession to the Spanish throne, after her brother King Felipe VI's children, her sister Elena, and Elena's children.
Contents
Birth[edit]
Cristina de Borbón was born in Madrid and was baptized into the Church at the Palacio de La Zarzuela by the Archbishop of Madrid. Her godparents were Alfonso, Duke of Anjou and Cádiz (her first cousin once removed), and Infanta Maria Cristina of Spain (great-aunt).
Education[edit]
The Infanta received her secondary education at Santa María del Camino School before graduating from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid in 1989 with a degree in political science. She pursued postgraduate studies at New York University, obtaining an MA in international relations in 1990. In 1991, she gained practical experience working at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
She speaks fluent Spanish, Catalan, English and Greek.
Marriage and children[edit]
The Infanta married team handball player Iñaki Urdangarín in Barcelona on 4 October 1997, at which time her father, King Juan Carlos, created her Duchess of Palma de Mallorca for life;[1] by Spanish custom, her husband, Iñaki Urdangarín became styled Duke of Palma de Mallorca. However, as of June 12, 2015, King Felipe VI attainted the dukedom of Palma de Mallorca, thus depriving her (and thereby, her husband) of the ducal title.[2]
The couple have four children, all born in Barcelona:
- Don Juan Urdangarín y de Borbón, born 29 September 1999.
- Don Pablo Urdangarín y de Borbón, born 6 December 2000.
- Don Miguel Urdangarín y de Borbón, born 30 April 2002.
- Doña Irene Urdangarín y de Borbón, born 5 June 2005.
They lived in Washington, D.C. from 2009 to 2012, where her husband worked for Telefónica. In August 2013 she moved with her four children to Geneva, Switzerland, to take a job with the Caixa Foundation, while her husband, who is the subject of an embezzlement investigation, remained in Barcelona.[3]
Activities in Spain and abroad[edit]
She carries out many institutional, cultural, academic and welfare activities in Spain and abroad, especially in European and Latin American countries.
As Honorary President of the Spanish Committee of UNESCO, she has maintained her links with this international organization and with several of its projects, especially educational ones, with a focus on activities to protect the natural and artistic heritage. In October 2001, she was appointed Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations for the 2nd World Assembly on Ageing. She is also a member of the Dali Foundation Board of Trustees.
She supports a number of welfare bodies and participates personally in courses on adapted sailing for disabled people. She is the President of the International Foundation for Disabled Sailing.
She's also been a member of the Bilderberg Group since 2001, with her parents.
Corruption inquiry[edit]
Her husband was investigated from early 2012 on suspicion of fraudulently obtaining millions in public funds in the Nóos case. In April 2013, Infanta Cristina was formally named as a suspect in the case by the judge in charge.[4] When invited to comment, a Royal Household spokesman said that the Casa Real "does not comment on judicial decisions", yet the next day, after the anti-corruption prosecutor announced that he would appeal the decision, it relented by expressing "absolute conformity" with the legal authorities.[5] In light of the forthcoming trial, she and her children moved to Geneva, Switzerland, in summer 2013. On 7 January 2014, a Spanish judge charged her with tax fraud and money laundering and ordered her to appear in court.[6] The Infanta made her first appearance in the Majorca Court on 8 February 2014, where she denied any knowledge of her husband's dealings.[7]
Spanish judge Jose Castro formalised charges against Infanta Cristina on 25 June 2014 resulting in the possibility that she could face trial, with up to 11 years in jail if found guilty. An appeal was lodged against the decision.[8] In November 2014, the High Court of Palma de Mallorca upheld tax fraud charges against the princess, paving the way for her to face trial; however, it decided to drop money-laundering charges. Her lawyers maintain that they remain completely convinced of her innocence.[9] On December 22, 2014, the High Court of the Balearic Islands announced that Infanta Cristina, her husband and 15 others would stand trial on tax fraud charges "as soon as next year".[10]
On 12 June 2015, King Felipe VI officially deprived his sister of her dukedom, privately announcing his intention beforehand.[11][12] In response to their meeting in person, on 12 June Infanta Cristina wrote to the king (her brother) requesting the forfeiture of her noble titles, immediately following which a Royal Decree was issued accordingly.[13][14][15][16] Nonetheless, these corruption allegations have severely dented the Spanish Royal Family's popularity in Spain and elsewhere; according to El País between 1995 and 2013 the Spanish monarchy's approval rating dropped from 7.5 to 3.68 on a scale of 10 amongst Spaniards. The Spanish media also attribute, in no small part, King Juan Carlos' abdication to these ongoing proceedings.[17]
Sports and participation in the Olympics[edit]
She practices a number of sports including skiing, but her favorite is sailing. She has taken part in many national and international events and was a member of the Spanish Olympic sailing team at the Seoul Games in 1988 where she was standard bearer in the opening parade.
Titles, styles, honours and arms[edit]
Titles[edit]
- 13 June 1965 – 26 September 1997: Her Royal Highness the Infanta Doña Cristina of Spain.[18]
- 26 September 1997 – 11 June 2015: Her Royal Highness the Infanta Doña Cristina, Duchess of Palma de Mallorca
- 11 June 2015 – present: Her Royal Highness the Infanta Doña Cristina of Spain.[19]
The Infanta's style and title in full: Su Alteza Real Doña Cristina Federica Victoria Antonia de la Santísima Trinidad de Borbón y Grecia, Infanta de España (Her Royal Highness Doña Cristina Federica Victoria Antonia de la Santísima Trinidad de Borbón y Grecia, Infanta of Spain).
Honours[edit]
See also List of honours of the Spanish Royal Family by country
- National honours
Spain: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III
Spain: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic
- Foreign honours
Austria: Grand Cross of the Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria[20][21]
Belgium: Knight Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold[22][23]
Ecuador: Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit[24]
Egypt: Grand Cross of the Order of the Virtues[25][26]
El Salvador: Grand Cross with Silver Star of the Order of José Matías Delgado[27][28]
Greece: Grand Cross of the Order of Honour[29][30]
Guatemala: Grand Cross of the Order of the Quetzal[31][32]
Iceland: Grand Cross of the Order of the Falcon[33]
Japan: Dame Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown[34]
Jordan: Knight Grand Cordon of the Order of the Star of Jordan[35][36]
Luxembourg: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Adolphe of Nassau
Mexico: Grand Cross of the Order of the Aztec Eagle[37][38]
Nepal: Member First Class of the Order of Tri Shakti Patta[39]
Netherlands: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau[40]
Norway: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav[41]
Peru: Grand Cross of the Order of the Sun[42]
Portugal: Grand Cross of the Order of Christ
Portugal: Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry
Thailand: Knight Grand Cordon of the Order of the White Elephant[43][44]
Arms[edit]
The Cross Argent, as used prior to the attainder of her dukedom, represented her mother's family: the former Kings of Greece.[46][47]
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Ancestry[edit]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Real Decreto 1502/1997
- ^ País, Ediciones. "El Rey revoca el título de duquesa de Palma a su hermana Cristina". Retrieved 2015-06-11.
- ^ [1]
- ^ "Judge targets Princess Cristina in Nóos corruption probe". El Pais. Retrieved 2013-04-03.
- ^ "La Casa del Rey expresa su "sorpresa" ante el cambio de criterio del juez" (in Spanish). El Periodico de Catalunya. Retrieved 2013-04-03.
- ^ "Spanish princess Infanta Cristina summoned over fraud". BBC News. 7 January 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
- ^ "Spain's Princess Cristina in court over corruption case". BBC News. 8 February 2014.
- ^ BBC News (25 June 2014). "Spain's Princess Cristina to face charges" Retrieved 25 June 2014
- ^ "Tax trial confirmed for Spain's Princess Cristina". BBC News. 7 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
- ^ Reuters (22 December 2014). "Spain's Princess Cristina to Stand Trial on Tax Fraud Charges". New York Times (The New York Times). Retrieved 22 December 2014.
- ^ Spanish king strips sister news.yahoo.com, retrieved June 12, 2015
- ^ http://estaticos.elmundo.es/documentos/2015/06/12/boe.pdf
- ^ http://img02.lavanguardia.com/2015/06/12/Primera-pagina-de-la-carta-rem_54432241161_54374916805_576_694.jpg?t=1434100353341
- ^ http://img02.lavanguardia.com/2015/06/12/Segunda-pagina-de-la-carta-rem_54432241924_54374916805_576_694.jpg?t=1434101059380
- ^ http://img02.lavanguardia.com/2015/06/12/Tercera-pagina-de-la-carta-rem_54432784369_54374916805_576_694.jpg?t=1434101040777
- ^ http://img02.lavanguardia.com/2015/06/12/Cuarta-y-ultima-pagina-de-la-c_54432241962_54374916805_576_694.jpg?t=1434101077752
- ^ www.elpais.com
- ^ Boletín Oficial del Estado
- ^ (Spanish) The King revokes the title of Duchess of Palma use by his sister doña Cristina, Europapress (15-06-11) (Acceded on 12 June 2015)
- ^ Parliamentary question, page=1124
- ^ Visita de Estado del Presidente de Austria a España
- ^ Foro Dinastías, State visit of Belgium in Spain, 1994,
- ^ Hemeroteca ABC
- ^ Visita de Estado del Presidente del Ecuador a España
- ^ Foro Dinastías, State visit of Egypt in Spain
- ^ Visita de Estado del Presidente de Egipto a España
- ^ Foro Dinastías
- ^ Visita de Estado del Presidente de El Salvador a España
- ^ Foro Dinastías, State visit of Stephanopoulos in Spain, 2001, Group Photo
- ^ Visita de Estado del Presidente de Grecia a España
- ^ "At the Spanish Court" blog, State dinner in the Royal Palace (1st State dinner for Cristina).
- ^ "La dimensión europea de la política exterior española hacia América latina". Escrito por José Escribano Úbeda-Portugués
- ^ Icelandese Presidency Website , Cristina, de Borbón ; prinsessa ; Spánn ; 1985-09-16 ; Stórkross (= Cristina of Bourbon, Princess, Spain, 16 September 1985, Grand Cross)
- ^ Hemeroteca ABC
- ^ State visit of Jordan in Spain (1985), Photo of Infanta Cristina wearing the order
- ^ Visita Oficial del Rey Hussein de Jordania a España
- ^ El Presidente de México de Visita Oficial en España
- ^ El Besamanos
- ^ Foro Dinastías State visit of Nepal in Spain, 1983
- ^ Hemeroteca ABC
- ^ Visita de Estado de los Reyes de Noruega a España
- ^ Visita de Estado del Presidente de Perú a España
- ^ Foro Dinastías, State visit in Thailand,
- ^ Visita de Estado de los Reyes de España a Tailandia
- ^ (Spanish) Royal Cadency of Spain-Standards. Blog de Heráldica – 1 November 2010. (Retrieved 10 October 2012)
- ^ a b "Cadency of the Spanish Royal House" (in Spanish). José Juan Carrión Rangel, Blog de heráldica. Retrieved 2009-11-29.
- ^ a b Proyecto Galicia : Serie de Heráldica Genealogía y Nobiliaria. T. V (LVIII). La Coruña: Hércules de Ediciones, 2011. ISBN 978-84-92715-31-2. P. 529.
External links[edit]
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to Infanta Cristina of Spain. |
- Royal Household of HM the King official website (English) (Spanish)
- Latest News on Infanta Christina
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Infanta Cristina of Spain
Born: 13 June 1965 |
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| Lines of succession | ||
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| Preceded by Victoria Federica de Marichalar |
Line of succession to the Spanish Throne 6th position |
Succeeded by Juan Valentín Urdangarín |
| Olympic Games | ||
| Preceded by Alejandro Abascal |
Flagbearer for Seoul 1988 |
Succeeded by Felipe, Prince of Asturias |
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- 1965 births
- Living people
- Spanish infantas
- House of Bourbon (Spain)
- New York University alumni
- Complutense University of Madrid alumni
- Dukes of Palma de Mallorca
- Sailors at the 1988 Summer Olympics
- Olympic sailors of Spain
- Nobility from Madrid
- Spanish expatriates in Switzerland
- Spanish people of Danish descent
- Spanish people of German descent
- Spanish people of Greek descent
- Spanish people of British descent
- Spanish people of Russian descent
- Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic
- Grand Cordons of the Order of the Precious Crown
- Grand Crosses of the Order of Adolphe of Nassau
- Grand Crosses of the Order of Christ (Portugal)
- Grand Crosses of the Order of Honour (Greece)
- Grand Crosses of the Order of Prince Henry
- Grand Crosses of the Order of the Quetzal
- Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Falcon
- Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau
- Supreme Classes of the Order of the Virtues (Egypt)
- Members of the Order of Tri Shakti Patta, First Class
- Grand Cordons of the Order of the Star of Jordan
- Grand Crosses of the Order of José Matías Delgado
- Bands of the Order of the Aztec Eagle
- Grand Crosses of the Order of the Sun of Peru
