The marriage of Cayetano Martínez de Irujo and Bárbara Mirjan, coming after a decade-long relationship, was not just a high-society event. It once again sparked public debate about the future of the aristocratic titles of one of the country’s most distinguished families. Central to these discussions is the age-old question determining the fate of noble dynasties: who will inherit the prestigious titles of Duke of Arjona and Count of Salvatierra?
Today, the answer to this question seems straightforward, dictated by current legislation. The main heirs to their father’s legacy are his twins, Luis and Amina. Most likely, their father’s titles will be divided between them. This clarity is the result of major reforms to inheritance laws recently adopted by Spain, breaking centuries-old traditions.
Until 2006, Spanish aristocracy followed the strict rule of male primogeniture. Titles were automatically passed to the eldest son, leaving daughters aside, even if they were older. However, Law 33/2006 brought about a real revolution by ensuring complete gender equality in succession. Now, the heir’s gender is irrelevant—only birth order matters. This step modernized centuries-old traditions, bringing them in line with the realities of the 21st century.
The very titles in question are steeped in centuries of history. The County of Salvatierra was established by King Philip III back in 1613. The Duchy of Arjona is even older—its origins date to 1423, when it was granted by King John II of Castile. Caetano received both of these titles during the lifetime of his mother, the legendary Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart, Duchess of Alba, who had allocated part of her vast inheritance among her children in advance.
A new chapter in the life of the Duke of Arjona appears to be unfolding harmoniously. The relationship between his children and their father’s new wife, Bárbara Mirjan, is described as very warm, alleviating any potential tension within the family. While the monarch remains the sole authority empowered to create new noble titles—as was recently the case with tennis player Rafael Nadal—the fate of the old titles of the House of Alba has already been settled. The law and family consensus ensure that this historic legacy will be passed on to the next generation fairly and without dispute.
