Queen Letizia Uses Her Royal Privilege To Dress In White Before The Pope

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

Seeing Queen Letizia dressed in white is synonymous with a special occasion. She used it at her request and also on the day of the coronation. Now, as queen, she also has the right to wear it in the presence of the pope.

According to the Vatican protocol, to be received by the pontiff it is necessary to wear rigorous black with one exception, the queens of Catholic countries.

This right, known as Privilège du blanc, or Privilege of white, allows Catholic monarchs to attend, dressed in white and with a mantilla, at official acts presided over by the pope. The queen of Spain can also wear a comb.

This Monday, on her first official trip abroad, the queen has made use of that privilege. Although it has drawn attention that it did not wear a blanket, the Royal House has clarified that since it is a private audience, its use is not necessary.

For the occasion, the queen has turned to her head designer, Felipe Varela, and has chosen a white dress with matching jacket with thread and crystal embroidery, handbag, also white, and nude peep toe shoes from Magrit.

Pope Francis and Letizia on their first visit to the Vatican as Queen of Spain.

Her predecessor, Queen Sofia, always wore white on her visits to the Vatican, except on one occasion, at the funeral of John Paul II, who wore black as a sign of mourning.

Currently, those who hold the privilege of white are the queens Letizia and Sofia of Spain, the queens Matilde, Paola and Fabiola of Belgium, the grand duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, the princess Charlene of Monaco and the princess of Naples and the House from Savoy.

In addition to having received the popes Benedict XVI and Francis on their various visits to Spain, this is the fourth time that Philip VI and Letizia have come to the Vatican to meet a pontiff.

The first occasion was in June 2004, one month after his wedding, to receive the blessing of the then Pope John Paul II. Letizia wore a comb, a mantilla and a long black dress.

The kings of Spain with Juan Pablo II in 2008.

In May 2011, the couple attended the beatification ceremony for John Paul II and on that occasion they met with Benedict XVI. The then princess wore a short black dress and mantilla.