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Former Spanish king wins bid to throw out ex-lover's UK harassment case

The former monarch asked the court to throw out the case, arguing there was no viable claim
The former monarch asked the court to throw out the case, arguing there was no viable claim

Spain's former King Juan Carlos has won a bid to throw out a £126 million London lawsuit brought by his ex-lover, who accused him of a campaign of harassment after she refused to return millions of euros to him.

The 85-year-old ex-monarch was being sued by Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, who alleged Juan Carlos orchestrated threats, surveillance and intimidation from 2012.

Juan Carlos "emphatically denies ever having harassed" Ms Sayn-Wittgenstein, the former monarch's lawyer Adam Wolanski told London's High Court at a hearing in July.

Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn was 'deeply disappointed' with the decision (file image)

The former monarch asked the court to throw out Ms Sayn-Wittgenstein's case, arguing that there was no viable claim against Juan Carlos for harassment.

Judge Rowena Collins Rice ruled in his favour this morning, saying that Ms Sayn-Wittgenstein's lawsuit did not contain reasonable grounds for bringing the claim.

"No sufficient basis is provided for understanding the evidence that might be expected at trial to provide a real prospect of the claimant succeeding on this claim," she said.

Ms Sayn-Wittgenstein said in a statement that she was "deeply disappointed" with the decision and was considering all options.

Juan Carlos' British lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.