The news had the effect of a bomb and upset all of Spain. In June 2014, after 39 years of reign, Juan Carlos I, King of Spain, abdicated in favor of his son, King Felipe VI. This decision was largely motivated by Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, known as Corinna Larsen, a Danish businesswoman who was the country’s former ruler’s mistress from 2004 to 2009, like our colleagues from Parisian recalled this Tuesday, July 18, 2023.
It was in 2012, three years after their breakup, that Corinna Larsen started her legal battle with the ex-king of Spain. She indeed claimed to have been spied on and harassed by the deposed sovereign for eight years. The businesswoman also claims that her own children were also threatened.
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Gifts recovered by Juan Carlos I?
Moreover, according to him, Juan Carlos I would have demanded that she return several gifts offered during their relationship, such as works of art, jewelry or even money. The amount requested by the ex-king, who has gone into exile in the United Arab Emirates, would amount to 65 million euros. The sum requested as well as the acts of espionage and harassment would have caused “psychological damage” at the house of Corinna Larsen. Therefore, she returned this Tuesday, July 18, 2023 before the British court. She claims 126 million pounds sterling in compensation, or around 150 million euros from her ex-lover. On his side, Juan Carlos I was quick to react through his new lawyer, Adam Wolanski. He denies “firmly” the charges against him and also criticized the British judiciary.
By pleading the question of jurisdiction, he considers that the justice of this country is not able to judge this case, the facts of which would have taken place in Monaco or Switzerland. Therefore, the former ruler of Spain and his lawyer ask that the harassment charges be dismissed.
RF