logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2020
28m 52s

Spain: the elephant in the palace

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

Spain’s King Juan Carlos – a story of entitlement and dynasty… The emeritus king, Juan Carlos, has left Spain. But the man who propelled his nation from dictatorship to democracy is under intense public scrutiny. At the heart of allegations against the former king is a $100 million gift from the Saudi Royals. The Supreme Court in Madrid is investigating whether Juan Carlos can be accused of any crimes related to this cash. Spain’s often unquestioning acceptance of its monarchy began to unravel in 2012 when King Juan Carlos fractured a hip during an elephant-hunting trip to Botswana. Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, his former lover, was with him in Africa. She talks exclusively to Crossing Continents about a multi-million Euro gift from the king, claims she was pursued by Spain's intelligence service, and - that elephant.

Presenter / producer: Linda Pressly Presenter / producer in Spain: Esperanza Escribano Editor: Bridget Harney

Up next
Sep 29
Nepal: In the shadow of a glacier
As Nepal deals with the aftermath of devastating floods, there have been renewed warnings about the impact of climate change on the Himalayas. As temperatures have risen, glaciers across the region have shrunk and the landscape has become more unstable. Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent r ... Show More
28m 50s
Sep 22
Has Poland fallen out of love with Ukraine?
Why has anti-Ukrainian feeling been growing in Poland? In 2022, when President Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Poland opened its doors and the Poles their hearts to Ukrainian refugees. Millions of Ukrainians passed through Poland, getting all kinds of help from ... Show More
32m 19s
Sep 15
Turkey on Trial: Can Courts Control a Nation?
Political analysts and human rights organisations say Turkey's courts are increasingly being used to silence political dissent and to shape a more socially conservative society. The most prominent defendant is Ekrem İmamoğlu, the mayor of Istanbul, and the opposition figure opini ... Show More
29m 55s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2021
Corinna & the king: The money hunt
Power, greed, and a $65m 'gift': the story of King Juan Carlos of Spain and Corinna, his lover. They occupied a world of high-rolling hunting parties and complicated gifts – until it went seriously wrong.<hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style= ... Show More
59m 4s
Dec 2022
Ep 7: A Dark Soul - Juan Carlos, conspiracy, and the Villarejo tapes
Seeing the huge pools of money held by the former king through hangers-on, Corinna cuts all contact with Juan Carlos. Corinna also finds out that Villarejo, who appeared to be on her side, has been secretly recording their meetings and has leaked the recording. To make matters wo ... Show More
47m 21s
Sep 2023
The Great Hope of Spain
King Alfonson XII of Spain died without a male heir—but there was hope: his wife was six months pregnant. And as great fortune would have it, the Queen gave birth to a healthy baby boy, who would be Alfonso XIII. At the turn of the century, Spain was at a crossroads. It could eit ... Show More
45m 58s
Dec 2022
Ep 8: Hell-bent - Frozen bank accounts, the FBI, and a harassment suit
After his fall from grace, Juan Carlos retires from public life to Abu Dhabi. Corinna finds herself mired in investigations in multiple jurisdictions, where her bank accounts are closed one by one. When a freezing order descends on her US bank account, Corinna hires a former FBI ... Show More
41m 1s
May 2024
Spain
Is Spain’s unity under threat? Could a new amnesty law on Catalan independence pave the way for regions to breakaway from the kingdom? Spain is also facing complaints about corruption, a critical water shortage and a growing inequality between the old and the young. Jonny Dymond ... Show More
48m 50s
Jan 2024
Gürtel scandal: Spain's Watergate
For two years, José Luis Peñas risked his life making secret recordings that revealed one of Spain's biggest corruption scandals.It forced the ruling party from power and brought down Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in 2018.José Luis Peñas speaks to Ben Henderson.(Photo: Mariano Raj ... Show More
8m 58s
Aug 2019
01.25 - The Spanish Match
The apple does not fall far from the tree, as Charles follows in his father's footsteps and tries to win his wife through a brave and romantic adventure! With his partner in crime, George Villiers, he will travel, uninvited, to the Spanish court at Madrid and woo his beloved Infa ... Show More
26 m
Mar 2020
¿A dónde va la economía? Crisis política en Costa Rica. Investigan al rey emérito de España.
Entrevista a Mauricio Cárdenas, profesor de Columbia. Un analista da las claves del escándalo que rodea a Carlos Alvarado. Desde Madrid, Pilar Velasco habla del rey Juan Carlos. 
23m 6s