Seville witnessed one of the most anticipated social events of the year this past weekend. Around three hundred guests gathered to celebrate with Cayetano Martínez de Irujo and Bárbara Mirjan on their special day. The wedding ceremony took place at the Iglesia del Cristo de los Gitanos, a site of deep symbolic significance for the House of Alba—as it is here that the remains of the beloved Duchess Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart rest. The radiant bride arrived at the church in a horse-drawn carriage, accompanied by her father, Lebanese businessman Javier Mirjan. While Cayetano once again donned the full dress uniform of the Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla—the same attire he wore at his first wedding to Genoveva Casanova—Bárbara opted for an exclusive gown by Navascués. The dress merged modern style, romance, and a subtle nod to the family’s history with embroidery inspired by patterns from the mantle of the Virgen de la Esperanza Macarena.
However, it wasn’t just the dress that drew attention. The choice of jewelry became the subject of lively debate long before the celebration. Many expected the bride to appear in one of the family heirlooms, such as the ducal crown so beloved by Cayetana de Alba, or the Empress Eugénie’s tiara, crafted from diamonds and pearls. Unfortunately, the famous Russian tiara, the late duchess’s favorite, was out of the question. The aristocrat sold it back in the 1990s to buy a horse for her son Cayetano, with which he competed at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games and came within reach of a medal, finishing fourth.
Initially, Bárbara Mirján did not plan to adorn her hairstyle with a tiara at all. In doing so, she was following the example set by recent brides of the House of Alba: Sofía Palazuelo, the future duchess, and Belén Corsini, Countess de Osorno, both chose to forgo tiaras on their wedding days. Instead, they opted for more understated accessories—Sofía wore an elegant feathered headpiece, while Belén wove a decorative hairpin into her braid.
Ultimately, the decision was made spontaneously during one of the final dress fittings. Bárbara chose not to turn to the family heirlooms and instead selected a truly special piece of jewelry: an exquisite white gold and diamond bracelet from Grassy, a renowned jewelry house, which was skillfully placed in her hair as a diadem. This refined detail became the highlight of her look, complemented by a four-meter veil made from natural silk tulle. At the entrance to the church, now the aristocrat’s lawful wife, she appeared with a light and elegant accessory delicately framing her face. Her style radiated the calm of a classic bride, yet with a modern and deeply personal touch that set her apart.
Following tradition, Bárbara Mirján added something new and something borrowed to her bridal look. The new items were Art Deco-style earrings—a wedding gift from the groom, purchased at that same prestigious Madrid jewelry house. For something borrowed, she wore a modest diamond bracelet on her left wrist. For his part, she presented Cayetano with a Cartier watch to mark the occasion. The result was a perfect balance between classic and contemporary, between the strict lines of the dress and the timeless shine of fine jewelry.
At the wedding of Cayetano and Bárbara, it wasn’t the jewelry that stood out among the guests, but rather a much more modest accessory. A graceful and elegant fan made of natural fiber became the most popular addition to the ladies’ outfits. This thoughtful gift, intended to provide comfort on a sunny day, ended up being the most talked-about detail of the celebration.
