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Spain’s Princess Elena to divorce

Madrid – Spain’s Princess Elena, the eldest daughter of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, and her husband have reached an agreement to divorce following a two-year separation, their lawyers said Wednesday.

The 45-year-old married Jaime de Marichalar, 46, a Spanish noble and banker, in Seville in 1995 in a glittering ceremony attended by 1,300 guests and members of 33 royal houses.

The couple have two children — 11-year-old Felipe Juan Froilan and nine-year-old Victoria Federica.

They agreed to divorce by "mutual accord" and "maintain a fluid relationship with regards to everything regarding the well-being of their children," their lawyers said in a statement.

Princess Elena is fourth in line to the Spanish throne, behind her younger brother Felipe and his two daughters.

She will become the first of King Juan Carlos’ three children to get a divorce, which was only legalised in the country in 1981, six years after the death of right-wing dictator General Francisco Franco.

AFP / Expatica