The Duke of Alba and Cayetano Martínez de Irujo, United in Memory of Their Mother

On Wednesday, it marked ten years since the passing of Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart, Duchess of Alba. To commemorate this anniversary, a memorial mass was held at the Christ of the Gypsies church in Seville, attended by the current Duke of Alba, Carlos Fitz-James Stuart, and his brother Cayetano Martínez de Irujo, despite their estrangement. Fernando Martínez de Irujo, who remains distant from family disputes, was also present.

The brothers set aside their differences and exchanged a greeting, described by some as cold, at the church's entrance. Carlos and Cayetano shared a brief handshake and exchanged a few words just before entering the church.

While the Duke of Alba attended the event alone, Cayetano was accompanied by his current partner, Bárbara Mirjan. The mass was also attended by Cayetana de Alba's close friends, including Curro Romero and Carmen Tello, Dr. Francisco Trujillo, and Tomás Terry, among others, as well as her widower, Alfonso Díez, who shared heartfelt words about his late wife in the magazine '¡Hola!': "These ten years since Cayetana went to another place have only reinforced the privilege we had, those who loved her. And above all, the privilege we had, those who were loved by her."

Eugenia Martínez de Irujo was notably absent. Despite her completely broken relationship with her brother Cayetano, she wished to publicly honour her mother as she does every year. "Always with me, mum... always together, always in my heart," she wrote alongside a childhood photograph of herself with her mother, sharing tender glances.

Cayetano also wanted to remember his mother in front of the press gathered at the church entrance: "Our mother was a unique woman, the most significant female figure, in every aspect, of the 20th and 21st centuries." The Duke of Arjona stated that he and his siblings have inherited "great values from her." "She had an extraordinary natural intelligence, and personally, in those last years, managing everything with her was a lifelong learning experience," he recalled.

He disagreed with his sister on how to express longing for their mother: "Eugenia feels things in a very peculiar way. I respect her, but of course, I don't share it. She always says that it's not necessary to attend mass to remember her. Everyone can interpret it as they wish; I believe that an annual tribute to our mother is the least that can be done."

The Count of Salvatierra also expressed hope for reconciliation with his brother Carlos, though not with Jacobo, with whom he has no relationship. "God will decide, but hopefully," he said about a possible reconciliation. "I have always been open, I have never had any problem. My only issue has been being chosen by my mother; chosen, valued, and recognised because I did a great job and made a donation. That has been my sin for the situation I have lived through afterwards," he lamented.