Royal Fashion Minute: Upcoming Wedding of Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart, 18th Duchess of Alba

Bow Down To The Diva...

In less than two weeks, there's going to be another Royal Wedding. Well, it won't be of the William-and-Kate Royal Wedding proportions, but it will be somewhat "royal". You see, the 18th Duchess of Alba, Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart is going to be betrothed...for the third time on October 5th at the Palacio de Dueñas in Sevilla. In case you are not up to speed with the Euro Royals--well, other than yes, William and Kate!--Cayetana is the most titled royal in the World. She is a Duchess about seven times, a Marchesa about 19, a Countess 23 times, as well as Viscountess and a Baroness.

It is rumored that when Queen Elizabeth greets her, the Queen has to bow to Cayetana! Well, just on that, she gets my "At-A-Girl" Nick Points! Oh, and did I mention she probably owns most of Spain and is supposedly one of the wealthiest women in the world. And yes, this famous and priceless Goya painting:

She's the 13th Duchess of Alba and a relative, and Cayetana owns it. And she's also a Fashion Doyenne, who has been wearing Haute Couture from Ungaro to Balenciaga for ages. She's famous now more for her very Boho Eclectic sense of style, mixing prints, textiles and bright colors.

Cayetana Duchess of Alba, 1956

Cayetana, Duchess of Alba, wearing a Mantilla...and VERY big pearls!

But let's get back to her upcoming wedding. It's very controversial. You see, she's 85 and she has decided to marry again--much to the dismay of her children--who basically live off of the "House of Alba" trust fund.

The lucky guy, a man by the name of Alfonso Díez Carabantes (above), a civil servant who runs his own pr firm and is (sit down) 24 years her junior (At-a-Girl Part DOS!). Even though the family and even King Juan Carlos were opposed to their marriage (of course, people said that Alfonso was only after her millions, if not BILLIONS). As of last year, the duchess decided to proceed with the marriage, overcoming her children's opposition by giving them their inheritance in advance, although Díez has formally renounced any claim to her wealth. The wedding is coming up and naturally, there are already Wedding Souvenirs being hawked on the streets of Sevilla, the site of her wedding:

The T-shirt

The pins

Their wedding will be a fabulous affair for Spain--and hopefully for the happy couple. I can't wait to see what she wears--and the reaction on her children's faces...
Will King Juan Carlos show up??? I wonder... hope Crown Princess Letizia shows up!! Stay tuned...