PALMA DE MALLORCA (Spain): Spain’s Princess Cristina testified on Saturday in a historic judicial hearing aimed at helping determine whether she and her husband illegally used company funds for personal expenses, including lavish parties at their modernist Barcelona mansion.

Hundreds of protesters blew shrieking whistles, revved motorcycle engines, honked car horns and chanted “out with the Spanish crown” just 100 metres from the back entrance of the courthouse where Cristina was dropped off in a modest Ford C-Max hatchback and filmed by a media horde.

Cristina took a dozen steps to get inside, briefly smiling towards the cameras and giving a two-word greeting: “Buenos dias” (“good morning”).

Cristina, the first Spanish royal to be questioned in court since the monarchy was restored in 1975, faced Judge Jose Castro, who has summoned her as a fraud and money laundering suspect. Saturday’s closed-door session is a key step in determining whether she will be charged.

During a brief recess, Manuel Delgado, a lawyer representing an organisation called Frente Civico that has brought independent accusations against the princess, told reporters outside the court that she seemed calm, well-prepared but evasive while answering questions.

Delgado declined to comment on what Castro asked her about. He said the princess had told the judge that “she had great confidence in her husband”.—AP