In 1847, Queen
Isabella II lifted the seizure of the properties of the Medina Sidonias in Spain, and the family was able to return. The young Pepe, by then Marquis of los Vélez, started his political career, taking a seat in 1852 at the Parliament of the
Two Sicilies, as Prince of Paternò. He succeeded in the dukedom in 1862, and following the
Restoration of the monarchy in 1874, became
senator in his own right in 1875 and for the
province of Cádiz in 1876.
Medina Sidonia married his first cousin Rosalía Caro y Álvarez de Toledo, daughter of Pedro Caro, 4th Marquis of la Romana and granddaughter of
Pedro Caro, 3rd Marquis of la Romana, in Erpel,
Austro-Hungary, the 26 September 1846. They had four children.
Issue
Doña María del Socorro Álvarez de Toledo (1847–1929), married Don José Maria Ortuño de Ezpeleta, 4th Duke of Castroterreño and had issue.
Don Alonso Álvarez de Toledo, 15th Marquis of los Vélez (1850–1897), married Doña María Trinidad Caballero, daughter of Andrés Caballero, 1st Marquis of Somosancho. Died before succeeding his father and without issue.
Doña Inés Álvarez de Toledo, 16th Marquise of
Cazaza en África (1857–1937), married Don Fernando Ramírez de Haro, 13th Count of Bornos, and had issue.