Luck is smiling on the emeritus King Juan Carlos I. King Felipe’s father was spared from facing the accusations made by his former mistress Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, also known as Corinna Larsen, who sued him in a court in England for harassment and alleged “open and covert monitoring”.
According to the German businesswoman, the harassment had caused serious damage to his stability and mental health and she was seeking substantial financial compensation. Now, however, Larsen has suffered a significant legal setback.
Corinna and King Juan Carlos: Immunity saves the monarch
The German woman’s lawyers had hoped that the British courts would not recognize the immunity of the former head of state on the grounds that he had abdicated the throne and was therefore no longer the representative of the Spanish monarchy.
However, the British Court of Appeal ruled that “the alleged pre-abdication conduct is immune from the jurisdiction of the courts of this country”. Something that undoubtedly benefits the grandfather of Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia.
According to the monarch’s lawyers, his actions between 2012 and the date of his abdication were covered by his immunity as head of state. However, the trial will expose the moments after the monarch’s abdication.
The businesswoman alleges that she suffered harassment since 2012 and continued for a longer period of time after Juan Carlos ceased to be king.
