Spain's former king Juan Carlos has lodged an appeal against a paternity suit brought by a woman claiming to be his daughter the Spanish news agency quoted a judicial source as saying on Saturday.
His lawyers launched the court appeal to fend off the first lawsuit faced by 77-year-old, since he lost his total immunity on abdicating last June.
Spain's Supreme Court last month agreed to examine the claim by Ingrid Sartiau, a Belgian housewife reportedly in her late 40s.
"Juan Carlos has lodged an appeal against the admission of the paternity suit," a judicial source said.
Lawyers on both sides and state prosecutors must examine the appeals before they are sent to the court for a ruling, which could happen within weeks.
Sartiau claims Juan Carlos fathered her in the mid-1960s before he became king.
Juan Carlos handed the crown last year to his son Felipe VI, 46, hoping to freshen the monarchy's image.
The royal palace said today it would not comment on the case since it was a private matter.