This year, the House of Alba anticipated a special gathering: Cayetano Martínez de Irujo and his wife Bárbara Mirjan received their first invitation since their wedding to spend Christmas Eve at the renowned Liria Palace. The family was preparing for a long-awaited reunion, as Cayetano had not attended the Alba Christmas dinner for eight years. However, contrary to expectations, the couple opted to celebrate with Bárbara’s family rather than sit at the table with Cayetano’s relatives.
The evening of December 24 was filled with tension and anticipation: journalists waited outside the palace gates, and relatives avoided giving comments. Only late at night did it become clear that Cayetano and Bárbara had chosen a different path. Instead of the traditional dinner with his siblings, the Duke of Arjona visited his wife’s parents, Javier Mirjan and Lourdes Alliende. This decision did not spark new conflicts within the family, but it clearly showed how Cayetano’s priorities have shifted.
Shifting family dynamics
The question of where to spend Christmas is familiar to many couples. This time, the balance tipped in favor of Bárbara’s family. Perhaps next year the couple will return to Alba traditions, but for now, Cayetano chose to support his wife’s relatives. His relationship with his father-in-law, Lebanese entrepreneur Javier Mirjan, and Lourdes Alliende has always been warm. Both played an active role in helping organize the couple’s wedding, which was celebrated in October in Sevilla, and now Cayetano likely wanted to thank them for their support by spending one of the year’s most important evenings together.
While Cayetano and Bárbara enjoyed a peaceful atmosphere away from the press, other members of the Alba family gathered in Liria. Among the guests were Eugenia Martínez de Irujo with her husband Narcís Rebollo, the Dukes of Huéscar Carlos Fitz-James Stuart and Sofía Palazuelo, as well as the Counts of Osorno Fernando Fitz-James Stuart and Belén Corsini. Special attention was drawn to the return of the Count of Siruela, who had long been absent from family celebrations.
The absence of the younger generation
Cayetano and Bárbara weren’t the only ones who missed the dinner in Liria. This year, representatives of the younger Alba generation were also absent. The most famous among them, Tana Rivera, chose to spend the holiday in Sevilla with her father Fran Rivera, Lourdes Montes, and her brothers. Cayetano’s children, Luis and Amina, were also not in Madrid that evening.
Luis and Amina Martínez de Irujo traveled to Mexico to spend Christmas with their mother, Genoveva Casanova. After twenty years living in Spain, Genoveva returned to her homeland, and her children wanted to support her during this difficult time. After the holidays, they plan to return to Spain to see their father and his new wife. Amina has always been especially close to Cayetano and quickly bonded with Bárbara, even serving as her maid of honor at the wedding.
A quiet celebration
For Cayetano, this Christmas evening was an opportunity to relax, away from the bustle and unwanted attention. After his recent health issues, he opted for an intimate setting and the warmth of family. While festive commotion filled Liria, the Duke of Arjona chose solitude and tranquility, further strengthening his bond with Bárbara’s family.
This choice did not become a source of new disagreements between the brothers. On the contrary, it highlighted that a new chapter had begun in Cayetano’s life, one where family harmony and respect for his wife’s relatives come first. Traditions may change again in the future, but for now the Duke of Arjona is embracing a new family routine.
If you didn’t know, Cayetano Martínez de Irujo is a Spanish aristocrat and the son of the legendary Duchess of Alba. He is known not only for his title, but also for his active public life and involvement in equestrian sports. Bárbara Mirjan, his wife, comes from the family of Lebanese businessman Javier Mirjan. Their wedding in Sevilla became one of the most talked-about events of the year in Spanish high society. Liria Palace, where the Alba family traditionally gathers, is considered one of Madrid’s main historic landmarks.
