King Juan Carlos was constitutionally inviolable during his reign. But his abdication last year opened the door to the suits.
The Supreme Court quickly rejected a claim by a Spanish citizen, but agreed to consider one by Sartiau, who.was born in 1966, abut four years after Don Juan Carlos married Queen Sofia.
King Felipe has presided over several high-profile events in Catalonia in recent days, amid ongoing separatist rumblings there.
His Majesty helped launch the large GSMA Mobile World Congress 2015 with a dinner at Pedralbes Palace, once an official residence for the Spanish Royal Family.
He then toured the exhibits at the Fira De Barcelona venue along with national and regional leaders.
The King coincided with Catalonian President Artur Mas, who recently scheduled elections for later this year as a referendum on independence.
As is customary, Their Majesties welcomed the President and his wife during an official ceremony at El Pardo Palace, then a meeting at Zarzuela Palace and then a gathering at the Madrid Royal Palace.
King Juan Carlos had already started reforms and cuts, further making the Spanish Royal Household among the cheapest head of state operations in Europe.
King Felipe arrived today in Ethiopia to participate in the ongoing African Union Summit, in an effort to strengthen Spain’s relationship with the continent.
King Felipe highlighted the plight of all discriminated people’s and reminded the audience that no societty is fully protected against such nonsense.
The official agenda for the King and Queen has picked up in recent days following the Christmas and Epiphany holidays.
This week His Majesty presided over a swearing-in at Zarzuela Palace, seen below.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia also walked through the annual tourism fair in Madrid.
The tourism fair is a big deal for Spain, one of the world’s top destinations. The event brings more than 9,000 businesses and 200,000 visitors from all over the planet, according to the Royal Household.
The paternity claims against Don Juan Carlos have been circulating for years, but he King’s former inviolability meant suits could not proceed.
The legal landscape changed when King Juan Carlos abdicated last year in favor of his son Prince Felipe, now King Felipe.
The Spanish government gave the Supreme Court exclusivity in cases dealing with King Juan Carlos and other members of the Royal Family as a measure of protection against frivolous litigation.
King Juan Carlos remains a deeply admired figure because of his role in restoring democracy in Spain.
However, he thrived more when the media was less keen on reporting about the Royal Family’s private lives.
A recent survey found renewed support for the Crown in Spain under new King Felipe and Queen Letizia, which people identified as among those they most valued.