Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration ceremony unfolded with grandeur earlier today in Vatican City, drawing tens of thousands of attendees, including world leaders and dignitaries. Yet, amid the sea of solemn black attire, a small group of women stood out—dressed in radiant white. Their appearance was not a breach of protocol but a symbol of a rare and centuries-old tradition known as the privilège du blanc.
As per Catholic custom, those in the presence of the Pope are expected to wear black, symbolizing humility and discretion. According to Dr. Taylor Marshall, who shared his insights on X (formerly Twitter), the black garments represent “humility and the desire to remain unnoticed.” For women, this dress code is particularly strict—mandating knee-length garments, long sleeves, modest necklines, and no visible cleavage.
However, there are seven Catholic royal women in the world who are granted a special exception to this rule—the right to wear white in front of the Pope. This exceptional privilege is deeply rooted in Catholic tradition and is reserved exclusively for Catholic queens and princesses from select royal houses.
At the ceremony, Queen Letizia of Spain was among the few who exercised this privilege. She wore an elegant tea-length, long-sleeved white dress designed by Redondo Brand, featuring an asymmetrical draped neckline. She accessorized with nude Magrit heels, Ansorena1845 pearl drop earrings, a small white square purse, and a delicate lace veil covering her head. Queen Letizia had previously worn white during a private audience with Pope Francis in 2014, in line with this time-honored custom.
Joining her in white were Princess Charlene of Monaco and Queen Mathilde of Belgium. The trio’s choice of white attire highlighted their unique status within the Catholic monarchy and underscored the symbolic importance of the privilège du blanc.
The complete list of women currently entitled to this honor includes:
- Queen Letizia of Spain
- Princess Charlene of Monaco
- Queen Sofía of Spain
- Queen Paola of Belgium
- Queen Mathilde of Belgium
- Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg
- Princess Marina of Naples
This tradition is more than a matter of fashion—it reflects the Catholic Church’s reverence for historical monarchy and its enduring ties to Christendom. “Le Privilège du Blanc isn’t just about white dresses; it’s about history, influence, and remains an essential reminder of the history (and future) of Christendom,” Marshall added in his tweet.
The ceremony was also attended by prominent figures from around the world, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana), and other members of the U.S. Congress, emphasizing the global significance of this papal inauguration.
As the white-clad royals moved through Vatican City among dignitaries and pilgrims clad in black, their presence served as a living testament to the solemnity, tradition, and pageantry that continue to define the Catholic Church’s most sacred ceremonies.
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