A judge questioned Spanish King Juan Carlos’s son-in-law Inaki Urdangarin yesterday in a corruption case that has caused a rare embarrassment for Spain’s royals.

The tall and lanky 44-year-old is suspected of embezzling public money

Scores of noisy anti-monarchy protestors demonstrated in the street nearby asUrdangarin, the Duke of Palma, arrivedon foot at the high court in Palma, on the island of Majorca, accompanied by his lawyer.

The tall and lanky 44-year-old, a former Olympic handball player, is suspected of embezzling public money paid to a charity that was under his control. He has denied any wrongdoing.

“I am appearing today to demonstrate my innocence,” the duke, dressed in a black jacket and grey tie, told the waiting media outside the court.

“I have carried out my responsibilities and taken decisions correctly and with total transparency,” he added.

In the closed-door hearing that followed, investigating judge Jose Castro questioned the duke over the workings of companies involved in the case, said a court official who asked not to be named. “My intention today is to clarify the truth of what happened. I am convinced that my declaration today will help to do so,” Inaki said as he headed into court.

The case implicating Urdangarin, who is married to the king’s youngest daughter Cristina, is the first major scandal to touch Juan Carlos’s family.

The allegations of royal corruption have raised indignation at a time when Spaniards are suffering the effects of an economic downturn, tough spending cuts and an unemployment rate of nearly 23 per cent.

About 200 protesters, some wearing cardboard crowns, whistled and jeered as the duke arrived just before 9 a.m. They were kept back by metal barriers and dozens of riot police in blue.

“Mind your wallet, Urdangarin’s coming,” some yelled.