Archduchess Isabel de Habsbourg-Lorraine Weds in Vienna

Archduchess Isabel de Habsbourg-Lorraine Weds Carlos de Palacio Gaytán de Ayala in Vienna

European aristocracy converged on the Austrian capital for the nuptials of the archiduchesse Isabel de Habsbourg-Lorraine and Carlos de Palacio Gaytán de Ayala. Celebrated at the Jesuit Church in the heart of the city, the summer ceremony drew members of several historic royal houses as one of the season’s premier elite gatherings.

As the Spanish press had announced at the beginning of the year, the family of Bourbon-Two Sicilies attended the wedding on this 25th of July. The bride made her arrival at the Catholic Jesuit Church of Vienna on the arm of her father, Archduke Siméon of Austria, radiating in a short-sleeved lace dress with a white satin trapeze skirt. Her long veil was held in place by her family’s tiara: the diamond button tiara that had belonged to Archduchess Marie-Christine of Austria, daughter of Empress Maria Theresa. This precious jewel arrived in the family in 1936 as a wedding gift to Alicia of Bourbon-Parma for her nuptials with Duke Alfonso of Calabria, and has been worn on several occasions since the different parts of the tiara are removable. Maria Paloma of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, the mother of Isabel—granddaughter of Charles of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, cousin of former Spanish king Juan Carlos—had herself worn this tiara for her wedding with Archduke Siméon in 1996 in Spain. On Saturday in Vienna, Isabel wore the pearl earrings that her mother had worn for her wedding 30 years ago.

Among the guests, the king Philippe, the queen Mathilde, the princess Elisabeth, and the prince Gabriel were among those in attendance. Isabel de Habsbourg-Lorraine is the third of the five children of Princess Maria Paloma of Bourbon-Two Sicilies and Archduke Siméon of Habsbourg-Lorraine, making her the great-granddaughter of Charles I, the last emperor of Austria and king of Hungary, through her father. She is also a descendant of King Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies on her mother’s side. The groom is issued from two great families belonging to the Spanish nobility: de Palacio, through his father, and the Gaytán de Ayala clan on his mother’s side.

Historic Family Jewels and Wedding Attire on Display

Stepping out in front of the church doors, the bride wore her wedding gown featuring a lace bodice and a satin skirt. Her ensemble featured the historic diamond button tiara that had belonged to Archduchess Marie-Christine of Austria.

Belgian Sovereigns and European Royalty Fill the Pews

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium traveled to Austria accompanied by their children, Princess Elisabeth and Prince Gabriel.

Princess Elisabeth’s Sustainable Wardrobe Choice Draws Notice

Among the guests, the Duchess of Brabant captured attention by wearing an emerald-green dress designed by the French brand Maje during the July 25, 2026 ceremony. Demonstrating her approach to fashion, this was not a new acquisition, as the princess had already worn this same outfit in 2024 at the wedding of Archduke Pál de Habsbourg-Lorraine, once again illustrating her habit of reusing her clothes during public appearances.

Beside her, Queen Mathilde wore a red guipure dress signed by Natan. Elisabeth de Belgique shines as well through her prestigious academic path that took her from the corridors of the University of Oxford to that of Harvard, as through her public appearances. The eldest daughter of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde possesses a sense of fashion and knows how to choose the most appropriate outfits for each event while standing out. This dress is far from the only Maje article the princess owns in her wardrobe, as she has proudly worn the French brand founded in 1998 by Judith Milgrom since her earliest childhood. Although the sister of Prince Emmanuel is also faithful to several Belgian brands like Natan, Diane Von Furstenberg, or Essentiel Antwerp, Maje most often wins out during the striking events of her daily life, having already worn the transgenerational brand in 2016 during the Christmas concert.