Inside the whirlwind romance of Spain's hottest new couple: How Princess's granddaughter Teresa Urquijo, 28, met mayor of Madrid José Luis Martínez-Almeida, 48,  less than a year ago before getting engaged at Christmas with '72 red roses'

The cream of the Spanish social elite gathered this weekend as the Mayor of Madrid José Luis Martínez-Almeida married Teresa Urquijo, the granddaughter of Princess Teresa of Bourbon-Two Sicilies in the Spanish capital. 

More than 400 people gathered to celebrate the union between the royal and politician, who have had a whirlwind romance since meeting  less than a year a go.

Teresa, 28, and Jose, 48,  got engaged on Christmas Eve in a lavish proposal the ‘Los Molinillos’ estate in Madrid. The home is owned by  Piru Urquijo, Teresa’s grandmother. 

The proposal came after just seven months of dating, with the couple having met during the Flecha Contemporary Art Fair last year in Madrid.

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)

Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida and Teresa Urquijo enjoy an afternoon of bullfighting at the Plaza de las Ventas in June

Teresa is a financial analyst at Merlin Properties, an international real estate investment company, who were sponsoring the art fair. 

The couple were then introduced by a mutual friend.

Immediately after hitting it off, they met for breakfast, and they were pictured together less than a month later at the Mutua Madrid Tennis Open.

José gave Teresa his email, and she quickly asked when they could meet up. 

His reply was: ‘Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday,’ according to Hola!

By their first date on May 12, they were already inseparable.  By the end of the month they were snapped together on a trip to Basque Country, then days later they went public with appearing together at the San Isidro Fair.  

At Christmas, they told their families and friends that they were engaged, with Jose going public with the news in the new year.

Teresa is a financial analyst at Merlin Properties, an international real estate investment company, who were sponsoring the art fair. The couple were then introduced by a mutual friend

The mayor of Madrid, Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida went public with Teresa at a bullfight

Teresa, 28, is the granddaughter of Princess Teresa of Bourbon-Two Sicilies and Indante Alonso and wore a dress inspired by her grandmother

Jose had given Teresa 72 red roses and a family jewel when he proposed.

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 from Fernández Prats Tailor Shop – which spends around 60 hours on each of its custom pieces, adding a smart beige waistcoat.  

The couple went public with their relationship in June

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 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.  

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.  

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

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. 

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, such as such as Puerta del Sol, Alcalá, Retiro Park and Plaza de Cibeles. 

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.

Later, the bride and groom sang the anthem of Atlético de Madrid football club, which Jose supports, and were entertained by a DJ. 

A family farm made for the perfect private location for the partying, which lasted until dawn

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

A video showed the party in full swing, as the bride and groom climbed onto guests’ shoulders

Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida with his family: Casilda, Alfonso, Angela (mother), sister 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

Teresa was accompanied by her father and godfather, Lucas Urquijo, while her politician husband danced with his sister Magdalena. 

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. 

It made for the perfect private location for the partying, which lasted until dawn, while offering sweeping views of the Spanish countryside and impressive glimpses of Madrid itself in the distance.  

Comprising of around 37 hectares and built in 1991, the farm is owned by the bride’s grandmother Princess Teresa, and is where she also hosts equestrian competitions and raises her purebred Arabian horses.

The wedding menu was as lavish as would be expected, consisting of a first course of lobster salpicon and a second course of low-temperature Wagyu sirloin. 

For dessert, the guests tucked into an exquisite combination of cream mille-feuille with candied strawberries and a brownie with yogurt cream, strawberries and vanilla ice cream. 

As the meal finished at around 6pm and there was still a long night of partying ahead. 

There was also a more low-key dinner on offer, comprising sausages, cheese, mini pizzas and hot dogs.

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 

The food was organised by Lardhy, a legendary restaurant in Madrid with almost two centuries of history, while attendees were also able to enjoy an open bar.  

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’.

His sister Magdalena explained as they left the church: ‘We have experienced it with great joy for several reasons. The first is that she has found love, his better half. 

‘The wait has been worth it because Teresa is a wonderful person and full of kindness. 

‘And she was also excited because our parents are in heaven, he was my mother’s right eye and I’m sure she had something to do with this. It is a day of great joy.’ 

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