It is an ordinary-looking 40m stretch of concrete, sloping down to the courthouse in central Palma, on the island of Mallorca, and yet it has been the focus of national debate in recent weeks. The reason is that Princess Cristina will somehow have to get from one end of it to the other to appear in court as a suspect in a corruption case on February 8th.
It has become known as el paseíllo – the procession – and the authorities fear that the sight of King Juan Carlos's younger daughter walking it will create an unseemly spectacle, as well as humiliating her before she has even arrived in the courthouse.
The arrival of a celebrity in court in Spain tends to draw big crowds, who shout both support and abuse at the individual in question. There have been worries that angry members of the public could even throw objects at Princess Cristina.
With those concerns in mind, yesterday a police report recommended she be driven to the door of the court. A judge will make the final decision, although he is expected to heed the report’s suggestion.
Once inside, the princess will face questions relating to accusations of money laundering and tax fraud. She has not been charged with any crime. But she is an official suspect in an inquiry that began with the activities of her husband, Iñaki Urdangarin. Investigators believe he siphoned off millions of euro from a charity he used to run into personal bank accounts. They suspect the princess was aware of at least some of her husband’s alleged crimes.
The manner in which the princess arrives at court is just a detail, but it has been closely scrutinised because many Spaniards believe she is receiving preferential treatment from the justice system, a damaging notion for a royal family whose image is already on the floor.
“If she’s done something wrong, she should pay for it,” said Ómar Sancha, an IT entrepreneur, who sees no reason why the princess should not have to walk to court.
“She should have to face up to reality just like the rest of us Spaniards.”
Deafening abuse
Two years ago, Mr Urdangarin was told he could avoid the paseíllo and travel to the door of the court by car when he had to testify. However, he decided to walk anyway, and the abuse he received was deafening.
This is one of several scandals hurting the popularity of the royal family. In addition, King Juan Carlos’s health is poor and a recent poll showed more than 60 per cent of Spaniards want him to abdicate in favour of his son, Prince Felipe.
Juan Marcos Vallejo of the European Monarchy Association said there should not be a paseíllo for the princess – or for anyone. "Even if someone proves they've done nothing wrong, after that, they've already been exposed to unnecessary public derision and embarrassment. How does that person repair the damage done to their image?"
