Teresa Urquijo has tied the knot with Mayor of Madrid José Luis Martínez-Almeida in a glittering ceremony dubbed the ‘Spanish wedding of the year’.
The glamorous nuptials in Madrid were witnessed by more than 400 attendees, including members of the Spanish and Bulgarian Royal Families, including former King Juan Carlos and his wife Queen Sofia.
Teresa, 28, is the granddaughter of Princess Teresa of Bourbon-Two Sicilies – a cadet branch of the Spanish royal family, although the throne is now defunct.
The couple, who have a 20 year age gap, announced their engagement in January 2024, and are believed to have been together for under a year.
In his wedding speech, the groom joked that he didn’t know what his bride saw in him when they first met, but added that ‘now there is no turning back’.
‘Teresa appeared and it is a blessing that God has put in my path. I have the obligation to live up to her and make her happy, I hope in the form of sons or daughters,’ he said.
Teresa Urquijo has tied the knot with Mayor of Madrid José Luis Martínez-Almeida in a glittering ceremony (pictured together at the wedding on Saturday)
Teresa donned an exquisite bright white gown for the ceremony at Iglesia San Francisco de Borja on Saturday, April 6, which the groom described as ‘the happiest day of our lives’.
The meaningful dress, complete with a silk veil, lace pattern and full-length puff sleeves, was a nod to both her grandmother and mother.
She modified the wedding dress of her grandmother, Princess Teresa of Bourbon-Two Sicilies from her 1961 ceremony to Íñigo Moreno de Arteaga, and her mother Beatriz Moreno, also wore a version for her wedding in 1995.
As she carried a bouquet of eucalyptus and white flowers, the stunning bride pulled her hair back into a sleek bun and added a pair of diamond earrings originally worn by her great-grandmother, Infanta Alicia, Duchess of Calabria.
The late Duchess, who died aged 99 in 2017, was King Juan Carlos of Spain’s aunt.
Meanwhile Jose, 48, opted for a charcoal-coloured suit with a smart beige waistcoat.
The huge event is surely the biggest one in the year for Spanish society and was attended by a whole host of high-profile and glamourous guests, including the likes of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, Infanta Elana and Infanta Christina.
Victoria López-Quesada. goddaughter of King Felipe of Spain, and the bride’s second cousin acted as bridesmaid, although the monarch himself and his wife Letizia were not in attendance.
Chic power couple Fernando Fitz-James Stuart and Sofia Palazuelo, The Duke and Duchess of Huéscar, looked typically stylish as she turned heads in bright forest green and gold heels.
Princess Teresa of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, the bride’s grandmother, appeared in very high spirits, greeting guests at the door and soaking up the atmosphere of the big day.
Teresa, 28, is the granddaughter of Princess Teresa of Bourbon-Two Sicilies and Indante Alonso and wore a dress inspired by her grandmother
The couple, who have a 20 year age gap, delighted royal fans by sharing a sweet kiss outside the church San Francisco de Borja in Madrid
The ceremony was attended by high-profile and royal guests, including Princess Cristina of Spain, Juan Carlos, Juan Valentin, Princess Elena of Spain, Felipe Juan Froilin, Victoria Federica (all pictured)
Chic power couple Fernando Fitz-James Stuart and Sofia Palazuelo, The Duke and Duchess of Huéscar, looked typically stylish
The duchess turned heads in a bright forest green gown paired with gold heels
Princess Teresa, Duchess of Salerno – the grandmother of the bride – and her husband Iago Moreno y Artega
She appeared in very high spirits, greeting guests at the door and soaking up the atmosphere of the big day
Teresa’s dress was given extra style with a stunning and lengthy white train
As she carried a bouquet of eucalyptus and white flowers, the stunning bride pulled her hair back into a sleek bun
Jose, 48, admitted he had been very nervous for the big day, but later on described it as the ‘happiest day’ of their lives
At midday, Teresa arrived at the Parish of the Sacred Heart and San Francisco de Borja arm-in-arm with her godfather and entered the church
At midday, Teresa arrived at the Parish of the Sacred Heart and San Francisco de Borja arm-in-arm with her godfather.
Meanwhile her husband-to-be José was clearly feeling the nerves despite all the excitement, telling royal fans before the ceremony: ‘I’m very excited and very nervous. I haven’t been to sleep. I didn’t expect so much affection from people.’
He added humorously: ‘If we continue like this, I’m going to pour more water than Neptune. I am very grateful to all of you for being here.’
But later on he was able to simply enjoy the sheer wonder of the day, sharing snaps of himself and his new bride on Instagram inside the church, and later dancing at the reception, calling it: ‘The happiest day of our lives’.
Little has been revealed about the ceremony itself, but the church appeared to be decorated with stunning green foliage and white flowers lining the aisle.
After exiting the church, the newlyweds delighted royal fans who had gathered outside by sharing a sweet kiss.
In the evening the mood changed to one of vigorous partying, as the couple danced to Madrid, Madrid, Madrid in honour of the city.
José shared snaps of them enjoying each other’s company on the dance floor in their new marital bliss.
Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida with his family: Casilda, Alfonso, Angela (mother), Magdalena, Rafael (father) Martinez-Almeida
Members of the Spanish, Bourbon-Two Sicilies and Bulgarian Royal Families were all in attendance. Pictured: Princess Cristina of Spain, Juan Carlos, Juan Valentin, Princess Elena of Spain, Felipe Juan Froilin, Victoria Federica
Infanta Cristina, sixth in line to the Spanish throne, looked regal in a chocolate gown with gold metallic detailing
Cristina was joined by her son, 24-year-old Juan Urdangarín y de Borbón
Carla Pereyra, wife of Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone, was a vision in blue
Victoria Federica de Marichalar, 23, the younger child and only daughter of Infanta Elena, with her brother Felipe
Even Juan Carlos, the former King of Spain, was in attendance at the very high-profile wedding of the year
Princess Elena of Spain also opted for a blue theme with white lace detailing and matching heels
Carla Royo-Villanova turned heads in a carmine red dress with spaghetti straps as she arrived next to Kubrat de Bulgaria
Ana Botella and former Prime Minister of Spain Jose Maria Aznar were among the political figures
Pedro Lapez-Quesada and Cristina De Borbon Dos Sicilias, who stood out from the crowd in fuchsia
Announcing their engagement in January, he wrote on Instagram: ‘Once they asked me about sentimental questions.
‘I responded that neither rush nor resign, it is obvious that I have not rushed but I was almost resigned. Until she appeared. And Teresa told me yes.’
Teresa herself is a financial analyst at Merlin Properties, an international real estate investment company.
She has been working there for five years, and received a double degree in Law and Business Administration from the Universidad Pontificia Comillas.
Meanwhile José, also a lawyer, is a member of the People’s Party and has been part of Madrid City Council since 2015 – and mayor since 2019, having been re-elected in 2023.
The couple’s love of the city was very much in evidence at the wedding where the tables were decorated with the names of famous landmarks in the city.
The wedding menu was as lavish as would be expected, consisting of a first course of lobster salpicón and a second course of low-temperature Wagyu sirloin.
For dessert, the guests tucked into an exquisite combination of cream millefeuille with candied strawberries and a brownie with yogurt cream, strawberries and vanilla ice cream.
And for their first dance at the reception at El Canto De La Cruz Farm, in the town of Colmenar Viejo, they chose Madrid by Agustín Lara rather than something more traditional or romantic.
It was the perfect location for the partying, which lasted until dawn.
The farm is the property of the bride’s family and lies around 37 kilometres from the capital, as the esteemed guests made their way their in cars and private buses.
Comprising of around 37 hectares, it is owned by the bride’s grandmother Princess Teresa, and is where she also hosts equestrian competitions.
The groom also used his speech to pay an emotional tribute to his late father Rafael Martínez-Almeida, who died in 2012, and mother Ángela Navasque, who died in 2019.
‘They are responsible for everything that has happened to me in my life. When you are missing your parents you always need someone to trust,’ he said.
He said that his in-laws will now take on that role and even poked fun at the age gap between himself and his bride, saying that her parents are more like his ‘siblings’.
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