Carlos Martínez de Irujo y del Alcázar

Don Carlos Manuel Mariano Martínez de Irujo y del Alcázar, 8th Duke of Sotomayor, 3rd Marquis of Casa Irujo, GE (3 April 1846 – 14 September 1909) was a Spanish noble and politician who was an influential figure of the Restoration and of the regency of Queen María Cristina.

Early life Martínez de Irujo was born on 3 April 1846. He was the only son of Gabriela del Alcázar, 7th Duchess of Sotomayor, and Carlos Martínez de Irujo, 2nd Marquis of Casa Irujo, who served as Prime Minister of Spain under Isabella II from January to March 1847. His sister, María de la Piedad Martínez de Irujo y del Alcázar, married Pedro Caro y Széchényi, 6th Marquis of La Romana.

He studied law and became a diplomat. Upon his father's death on 26 December 1855 in Madrid, he became the 3rd Marquis of Casa Irujo. Upon his mother's death on 2 June 1889, he became the 8th Duke of Sotomayor. On 24 December 1890, King Alfonso XIII of Spain granted the accompanying dignity of Grandee to Don Carlos as third marquis.

In June 1897, the Duke served as Special Ambassador appointed by the Queen-Regent of Spain for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, attending the State Evening Party at Buckingham Palace on 24 June 1897.

He held various positions, including a member of the Congress of Deputies in 1876 and 1879 for the district of Ciudad Rodrigo with the ultramontane faction, and a Senator for the Logroño province in 1884 and, in his own right, since 1880. In 1902, he was made a Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece. He was also a Knight of the Order of Santiago and of the Maestranza de Zaragoza, Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III. In June of the same year, the Duke received the Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) from the Duke of Connaught, on the occasion of the enthronement of Alfonso XIII. He was also a Major Commander of León, Gentlemen of the Bedchamber Grandee of Spain and member of the Permanent Deputation of the Grandeeship of Spain. He was Sumiller de Corps from 1906 to 1909, Guardasellos de Su Majestad el Rey (Seal Keeper of His Majesty the King), Jefe Superior de Palacio (High Chief of the Palace), and Mayordomo mayor (High Steward) of the Queen from 1890 to 1906 (while she was Queen regent of Spain during the infancy of her son, Alfonso XIII). Asunción Isabel Martinez de Irujo y Caro (1879–1964), who married Cristóbal García-Loygorri, 3rd Duke of Vistahermosa, son of Narciso García-Loygorri, 2nd Duke of Vistahermosa. María de la Piedad Martinez de Irujo y Caro (1880–1954) Pedro Martinez de Irujo y Caro, 9th Duke of Sotomayor (1882–1957), who married Ana María de Artázcoz y Labayen, a daughter of Francisco Javier Artázcoz y Urdinola. Juan Guaberto Martinez de Irujo y Caro (1883–1892), who died young. Teresa Martinez de Irujo y Caro (1888–1892), who died young. Fernanda Martinez de Irujo y Caro (1895–1901), who died young. Carlota Martínez de Irujo y Caro (1904–1945), who married Gonzalo Taboada y Sangro, a son of Carlos Taboada y Bugallo and María Victoria Sangro y Ros de Olano, 3rd Countess of Almina.

The Duke died on 14 September 1909 at San Sebastián. After his death, his widow, María del Pilar, remarried for the third time to the 12th Marquis of Martorell on 24 March 1922.

Honors 1902: Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order. 1902: Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece. Knight of the Order of Santiago. Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III.