The wedding of José Luis Martínez-Almeida y Teresa Urquijo has gathered part of the members of the King’s family. In the Jesuit Church, on Serrano Street in Madrid, the Emeritus was reunited with his two daughters and three of his eight grandchildren. He has not gone to the temple queen doña sofía, although yes to the banquet. Those who have not attended church and do not go to the reception are Felipe VI and Mrs. Letizia and neither do his daughters. This Saturday, the head of state presides over the final of the Copa del Rey Soccer Cup in Seville between Bilbao and Mallorca.
Let us remember that Teresa’s maternal grandmother is the cousin of the emeritus, Teresa of Bourbon-Two Sicilies and Bourbon-Parmawith whom Don Juan Carlos maintains a close relationship.
The link is not, however, the only reason for this trip by the former monarch since on Monday, April 8, Don Juan Carlos plans to attend the funeral in memory of his nephew. Fernando Gomez Acebo, died last March 1. The emeritus was not present at the funeral of his sister Pilar’s son because he was in Bahrain at the Formula 1 races.
Upon his arrival alone at number 104 Serrano Street, the Emeritus was able to hear shouts of Viva el Rey. Also, the former president of the Government, José María Aznarwho came with his wife, heard ‘vivas’ at the doors of the parish located a stone’s throw from the so-called Golden Mile, in the Salamanca neighborhood, where the church of San Francisco de Borja stands.
Almeida and Teresa announced their engagement just three months ago, when they had been dating for just over a year. Their wedding has caused great expectation because both bride and groom are personalities of great social relevance. Teresa Urquijo, brand new “first lady” of the capital of Spain, is the granddaughter of Teresa de Borbón-Dos Sicilias y Borbón-Parma (86), cousin of the emeritus Juan Carlos (86). Hence, more than 100 print media have been accredited to cover the event at the entrance of the church.
It was ten minutes before 11 in the morning when we began to see the first of the 350 guests arrive for the religious ceremony, a number that increases to almost 600 at the banquet held on the 25-hectare farm that Mrs. de Martínez’s grandparents -Almeida they have in Colmenar Viejo.
Esperanza Aguirre (72) and her husband, Fernando Ramírez de Haro y Valdésarrived almost at the same time as another former Madrid president (and mayor), Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón (65) And his wife, Mar Utrera. Minutes later, Teresa of Borbon-Two Sicilies and Borbon-Parma, Teresa’s grandmother, arrived.
At 11:27 Almeida made his appearance, excited, fun, smiling and nervous about what was coming: his big day. The mayor, elegant in a morning suit, greeted the photographers and journalists gathered there. “Very nervous, very nervous. Very happy, very nervous and very grateful to all of you for being here“were his first words.
Just five minutes later, his ‘boss’ appeared, Alberto Núñez Feijóo (62), president of the Popular Party, with his girlfriendEva Cardenas. The opposition leader was greeted with applause and shouts of “president.”
Then came the Infanta Cristina with his son Juan Urdangarin, just a minute before the emeritus. Later, came the Infanta Elenawith his kids Froilan y Victoria Federica.
Felipe VI’s father arrived in an Audi, and with the help of Vicente García-Mochales, who accompanies him at many events, he paraded through the entrance of the church. Juan Carlos, leaning on his cane, greeted the public and the press and of course was received by Almeida at the door of the parish, where the two chatted briefly. When the Emeritus has dropped his cane and the groom has bent down to pick it up.
The bride arrived six minutes late, at 12:09. After getting out of the vehicle, arm in arm with her father and helped by her best friend, she headed towards the church entrance under the watchful eyes of journalists and onlookers.
The twenty-something real estate analyst wore a classic white dress with great detail, the one worn by her mother and grandmother, retouched by Cristina Navascués, a relative of Martínez-Almeida. Straight cut, with a silk tulle veil, puffed sleeves and a long train of almost three meters, her walk to the temple was very elegant. As we say, the model is a treasure, a family heirloom that was used 63 years ago for the first time: on April 6, 1961, Teresa de Borbón wore it to get married. Made by the designer Pedro Rodriguezdisciple and friend of Balenciaga, the same model was worn again by Beatriz Moreno de Borbón-Dos Sicilias, mother of the bride, when she married, in June 1995, Lucas Urquijo Fernández de Araoz, today godfather at her daughter’s wedding .
The mayor has arrived at the altar accompanied by his older sister, Casilda. His parents, Rafael Martínez-Almeida León Castillo y Angela Navasqüés Cobián, died in 2012 and 2019, respectively. The music chosen was by Boccherini and Madrid parades. At the end, the song Mother by the group Hakuna played.
Exactly at 1:20 p.m., Almeida his wife, overflowing with joy and somewhat excited, now married, came out of the temple to the applause of those present. At the insistence of the reporters, the husband gave a chaste kiss on the cheek of his girlfriend, who was smiling blushing.
Afterwards, Mr. and Mrs. Martínez-Almeida left the place in the wedding car and drove away towards Colmenar Viejo, where the El canto de la cruz farm is located, and the banquet and party take place to celebrate the anniversary. link between Almeida and his wife.
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