Princess Cristina will no longer be entitled to use the title Duchess of Palma

King Felipe VI has stripped his elder sister of one of her titles in a move intended to distance the Spanish monarchy in advance of her trial on charges of tax evasion.

A formal decree will be issued today announcing that Princess Cristina de Borbon, 49, who is on bail, will no longer be able to use the title Duchess of Palma de Mallorca.

In a statement released late last night, the palace said: “The Official Journal of the state will tomorrow (Friday) publish a royal decree by which His Majesty the King will revoke the use of the title of Duchess of Palma de Mallorca by Her Royal Highness the Infanta Cristina.”

The princess is accused of helping her husband, Iñaki Urdangarin, evade tax.