This past weekend, after ten years together, Cayetano Martínez de Irujo and Bárbara Mirján finally exchanged vows. The event, unanimously dubbed by the press as the society wedding of the year, was celebrated in grand style. The Duke of Arjona appeared at the altar in a ceremonial red uniform with a sword, while his bride wore an exquisite wedding gown adorned with handmade lace and a dramatic veil. The ceremony took place at the Iglesia del Cristo de los Gitanos in Seville, an iconic site where his mother, the legendary Duchess of Alba, is buried. Nearly three hundred guests witnessed this touching moment, including almost all of the late duchess’s children, with the exception of the Count of Siruela.
However, the idyllic scene was overshadowed by an unpleasant incident. Following the church service, the aristocrat was unable to hide his irritation at the gathering of reporters. Cayetano Martínez de Irujo sharply demanded that journalists leave them in peace, asking for respect at least on this special day. His anger was unmistakable. This outburst towards the press quickly became one of the most talked-about topics, and a few hours later, the Olympic equestrian felt compelled to clarify the situation.
Through one of the TV hosts, the newlywed husband issued a statement. He explained that his outrage was sparked by a violation of prior agreements: a special area had been designated for the media, but it was ignored. The duke complained that for forty years he has had to put up with what he called “garbage,” accusing journalists of manipulation and distorting facts. According to him, they simply robbed him and Barbara of a private moment, thrusting their microphones in their faces immediately after the ceremony. He emphasized that he is neither a member of the royal family, nor a politician, nor an actor, and therefore under no obligation to comment upon leaving the church. The aristocrat added that he considered such behavior an invasion of his privacy rather than information gathering, and that for many years his career and reputation have been subjected to attempts to tarnish them.
After this brief but tense incident, the newlyweds left the church in a horse-drawn carriage and headed to Las Arroyuelas estate. The groom inherited this expansive agricultural property from his mother. There, guests were treated to a lavish banquet provided by a renowned Seville catering service. The menu featured lobster salad, baked beef tenderloin with foie gras sauce and a vegetable garnish, and for dessert, an Arabic cake with red berries. The evening unfolded in a warm atmosphere with heartfelt toasts, moving speeches, and lively dancing, with the bride and her sister-in-law Eugenia Martínez de Irujo especially standing out on the dance floor.
Special attention was drawn to the groom’s daughter, who also acted as the matron of honor, Amina Martínez de Irujo Casanova. Throughout the ceremony, she maintained a notably serious expression, which did not go unnoticed by observers. For such an important day, she chose an elegant petrol-colored silk dress with a floral print, complemented by a flowing shawl in matching tones. This choice of color was widely praised for its success and for highlighting her individuality.
The gallery of outfits worn by the invited ladies, from Sofía Palazuelo to Olivia de Borbón, was in keeping with the high profile of the event. Yet it was the outfit of TV host Susanna Griso that generated the most discussion, as she wasn’t afraid to make a bold style statement. The journalist appeared in a blue spaghetti-strap dress by Redondo Brand with a voluminous, full skirt, which she paired with pink tulle. The main highlight, however, was a giant XXL-sized white pamela hat with a pink ribbon by Balel. Sharing photos on social media, Griso thanked the brands and wrote that for a few hours, they made her feel like Audrey Hepburn. Her followers were split: some admired her elegance, while others jokingly wondered if she’d put a ‘lampshade’ on her head.
