In Zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn v Borbón y Borbón [2022] EWCA Civ 1595, the king’s former girlfriend made allegations that he had harassed her. Some of the allegations concerned General Sanz Roldán, the head of the Spanish National Intelligence Agency during the king’s reign, including that a copy of a book on the death of Princess Diana was placed on her coffee table and she was that evening phoned by a mysterious caller who told her ‘there are many tunnels between Monaco and Nice’.
There has been no judgment about whether the allegations, which the king emphatically denies, are true or untrue.
The king abdicated in 2014 but remains entitled to use the title ‘King’. He sought an order declaring the court had no jurisdiction to try those allegations as he was entitled to state immunity. His application was dismissed in the High Court.
On appeal, however, the king’s claim to immunity was upheld.
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