Spain's Princess Cristina has become the first member of the country's royal family to be put on trial.

She is charged with being an accomplice in an alleged embezzlement scam involving her husband and 16 other defendants, who all deny the charges.

Princess Cristina, 50, faces eight years in jail if found guilty by a three-member panel of judges.

The trial in Palma, Majorca, is seen as an embarrassment for the royal family.

Princess Cristina arrived at the court in Palma on Monday with her husband, Inaki Urdangarin, who is accused of embezzlement and money laundering.

They made no statement to reporters. A small group of anti-monarchists protested outside.

As the judges read out the charges, the princess sat at the back of a makeshift courtroom at the public administration school in Palma. Her husband sat in the same row but court rules prevented them from sitting together.

It all looks so normal.

Three rows of six defendants sitting in court on blue chairs, facing the panel of judges.

But in the third row, at one end, sits Princess Cristina, sixth in line to the Spanish throne.

It's something many people in Spain thought they would never see - the powerful being held to account.

Princess Cristina's lawyers will try to get charges against her dismissed. But in a country where corruption has become a huge political issue, this is a big moment.