Fernando Fitz-James Stuart, 15th Duke of Huéscar

Fernando Juan Fitz-James Stuart y de Solís, 17th Duke of Huéscar, GE (born 14 September 1990), is a Spanish aristocrat. He is the current Duke of Huéscar, and heir apparent to the dukedom of Alba and thereby to the headship of the House of Alba.

Life and family He was born in Madrid and is the elder son of Carlos Fitz-James Stuart, 19th Duke of Alba (born 2 October 1948), and Matilde de Solís-Beaumont y Martínez-Campos (born in Navarre, Spain, 13 June 1963). On 1 February 2016, he received the title of Duke of Huéscar (the traditional title of the heir to the House of Alba since the 16th century), which was ceded by his father. He is also a direct descendant of James II of England, via an illegitimate line.

He studied in Madrid at The College for International Studies, where he met his future wife. He married his longtime girlfriend Sofía Palazuelo Barroso, daughter of Fernando Palazuelo and Sofía Barroso, on 6 October 2018 at Liria Palace in a ceremony attended by Queen Sofía of Spain, King Simeon II of Bulgaria and Princess Anne, Duchess of Calabria.

On 8 September 2020 they had a daughter, named Rosario, born at Hospital de Nuestra Señora del Rosario, in Madrid. She was baptized on 29 May 2021 in the Church of San Román (Seville). She received the names of Rosario Matilde Sofía Cayetana Dolores Teresa.

On 10 January 2023, their second child, a daughter named Sofía, was born at Hospital de Nuestra Señora del Rosario, in Madrid. The Duke was asked to rename his daughter after he had tried to give her a 25 word name of Sofia Fernanda Dolores Cayetana Teresa Angela de la Cruz Micaela del Santisimo Sacramento del Perpetuo Socorro de la Santisima Trinidad y de Todos Los Santos.

On 10 September 2025, a son named Fernando was born.

Ancestry

Fernando's patriline is the line from which he is descended father to son. Patrilineal descent is the principle behind membership in Ducal Houses, as it can be traced back through the generations - which means that Fernando's historically accurate House name is Irujo. Juan Martínez de Irujo Martín Martínez de Irujo y Tavar, born 1613 Juan Martínez de Irujo y Mearín, born 1648 Francisco Martínez de Irujo y Éspoz, born 1678 Manuel Martínez de Irujo y de Erice, born 1718 Carlos Martínez de Irujo, 1st Marquess of Casa Irujo, 1763–1824 Carlos Martínez de Irujo, 2nd Marquess of Casa Irujo, 1803–1855 Carlos Martínez de Irujo, 8th Duke of Sotomayor, 1846–1909 Pedro Martínez de Irujo, 9th Duke of Sotomayor, 1882–1957 Luis Martínez de Irujo y Artázcoz, 1919–1972 Carlos Fitz-James Stuart, 19th Duke of Alba, 1948 Fernando Fitz-James Stuart, 17th Duke of Huéscar, 1990

Titles, styles, honours and arms

Titles

Dukedoms 17th Duke of Huéscar, Grandee of Spain

Styles 1990–2016: The Most Excellent Don Fernando Fitz-James Stuart y de Solís 2016–present: The Most Excellent The Duke of Huéscar

Honours

Arms