Trial of the century

On the outskirts of Palma at a rather unglamorous industrial estate, history will be made on Monday when a massive trial involving the alleged embezzlement of public funds gets underway. In a country which has sadly become accustomed to trials of this type, it is nothing new. But those on trial are. They form part of the Spanish elite. The King of Spain’s sister, the Infanta Cristina and her husband, Iñaki Urdangarin, will all have to take their place in the courtroom, along with former senior politicians and officials. It could be called the "Trial of the Century" because never before has a senior member of the royal family gone on trial. Court proceedings will last for months and will dominate the headlines in Spain. The outcome of the trial could shake the very foundations of Spain. The charges against the accused are very serious: embezzling public funds. The eyes of Spain will be watching from Monday and Majorca will enter the history books again but for the wrong reasons.