King Felipe VI inaugurates exhibition in Seville marking the centenary of Duchess Cayetana de Alba's birth

King Felipe VI of Spain inaugurated an exhibition on Tuesday in Seville commemorating the centenary of the birth of Duchess Cayetana de Alba, one of the most colorful and well-known figures of the Spanish aristocracy. The exhibition, titled "Cayetana de Alba. 100 Years," is being held at the historic Palace of Dueñas, which for centuries belonged to the House of Alba and was one of the Duchess's favorite places. The opening was attended by the Mayor of Seville, Antonio Muñoz, and numerous guests, among whom family members stood out, including nearly all ten of Cayetana de Alba's children. The exhibition is organized by the Casa de Alba Foundation. An impressive collection of over two hundred objects has been assembled for the exhibition to present a full portrait of the Duchess. It includes valuable artworks from the family collection, such as paintings by Francisco Goya, Francisco de Zurbarán, and Peter Paul Rubens, highlighting the family's artistic patronage. Alongside these are numerous photographs, documents, letters, and personal items, such as jewelry, creations by world-famous fashion designers, and items related to her passion for flamenco and horse breeding. The curators aimed to go beyond the media image of the eccentric aristocrat, also showing her charitable engagement and deep attachment to Andalusia and Seville. The House of Alba, whose roots date back to the Middle Ages, is one of the most important and wealthiest aristocratic families in Spain. Over the centuries, it has amassed vast landholdings, artworks, and historic residences, such as the Liria Palace in Madrid and the Palace of Dueñas in Seville. Cayetana de Alba, born in 1926, was for decades an icon of Spanish social life, known for her character, three marriages, and numerous noble titles. The exhibition is an attempt to reinterpret the figure of the Duchess, often viewed through the prism of scandals and an eccentric lifestyle. The displayed mementos also show her as a devoted mother, a lover of Andalusian culture, and a person engaged in numerous charitable works. An important aspect of the exhibition is showing her connection to Seville, where she spent a lot of time and felt particularly attached to local tradition. The event has not only a historical and artistic dimension but also a family and sentimental one, being a tribute paid by her children and the foundation. The exhibition will be open to the public for the coming months, offering a chance to get to know the legacy of one of the last great aristocrats of the 20th century.