Seville is abuzz in anticipation of one of the most spectacular events of the autumn season. On October 4, at the renowned Los Gitanos church, the Duke of Arjona, Cayetano Martínez de Irujo, and his fiancée Bárbara Mirján will tie the knot. However, as the big day approaches, public attention is increasingly focused not on the ceremony details, but on the guest list—which has turned out to be full of surprises and family drama.
There is, however, good news. The head of the House of Alba, Carlos Fitz-James Stuart, has personally confirmed his attendance, putting an end to rumors of discord with his younger brother. Their reconciliation, which took place some time ago, will be one of the day’s symbolic moments. Also standing by the groom’s side will be other close family members. His sister, Eugenia Martínez de Irujo, who was initially considered for the role of godmother, has gladly yielded this honor to her niece Amina, Cayetano’s daughter from his marriage to Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova. Their brother Fernando, known for his peacemaking skills in family disputes, won’t miss the ceremony either. Recently, he reappeared in public after health issues, assuring everyone of his full recovery.
But, as is often the case in large families, there was a touch of discord. It became known that the groom’s older brother, Jacobo Siruela, and his wife, Inka Martín, would not attend the celebration. The official explanation, set out in a letter sent to the Liria Palace, cited their extremely busy schedule. First, just two days after the Seville event, their publishing house, Atalanta, is celebrating its twentieth anniversary. Second, the couple has only recently returned from the Canary Islands, where Inka Martín received an award for her contribution to culture. And finally, the third reason is their preparations for an important trip to meet with the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance, an environmental organization founded by King Charles III. The count and his wife are actively working on a renaturalization project on their estate in Salamanca. Despite the validity of these arguments, many see in this decision echoes of the longstanding and complicated relationship between the brothers.
Amidst this demarche, a news story surfaced, adding a piquant twist to the situation. The son of Count Siruela from his first marriage, gallerist Jacobo Fitz-James Stuart, announced he will definitely come to congratulate his uncle. He was brief, stressing that he does not discuss family matters with the press, but clearly confirmed his intention. This decision seems logical, especially considering that his mother, María Eugenia Fernández de Castro, was the late Duchess of Alba’s favorite daughter-in-law and always maintained warm relations with the entire family. Thus, the upcoming wedding is not just a celebration of love, but a true mirror reflecting the intricate and multifaceted bonds within one of Spain’s most distinguished families.
