Paternity suit brought by King Juan Carlos' 'illegitimate daughter' accepted by Supreme Court

Belgian national Ingrid Sartiau says she has DNA evidence to show that she and Barcelona resident Alberto Solá Jiménez share the same father, and that it is 91% reliable.

Alberto's paternity suit against the former King has not been admitted, but his own DNA sample, he claims, shows a 99% reliability and is a match for Juan Carlos I.

Both the plaintiffs say their mothers told them they had had 'flings' with the Monarch, who was known to have 'sown his wild oats' in his younger days, leading to a breakdown of his still-current marriage to Queen Sofía, from whom he lives separately.

Spain's prosecution board said they did not believe the claims and tried to stop the case going to court, without success.

As King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofía, the current reigning Monarchs King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia and their eldest daughter, Princess Leonor of Asturias are 'legally immune', any legal cases against them have to go straight to the Supreme Court, the highest in the land.

So far, Alberto Solá has been unable to get his heard as lower courts were not authorised to examine the claims and the Supreme Court has consistently rejected the case since the 1990s.

But if Alberto's paternity claim were to be found in his favour, the implications would be far more earth-shattering for the Royal family than if Ingrid turned out to be the King's daughter.

Alberto is older than Felipe VI, meaning the illegitimate son would automatically become King of Spain and Felipe VI would be forced off the throne.

This would not be the case with Ingrid because the amendment to the Spanish Constitution allowing the eldest daughter to be immediate heir to the throne was not passed until after Princess Leonor was born, to protect her in case she later had a baby brother, or to ensure there was indeed an heir if her parents only had girls - as has been the case.

Speculation is rife that this is the only reason Alberto's case has not been accepted by the Supreme Court, yet that of Ingrid Sartiau has.

The case is likely to be tried in the next few months, and it is not thought that either Ingrid or Juan Carlos I will have to appear before a judge.

But the abdicated King has the right to refuse to give a DNA sample - although if he does so, his denial may be taken as 'trying to hide something' and be considered evidence in its own right.

So far, the only comments made by the Royal household is that they will 'respect and adhere to the judicial process'.