Off The Record
Only 7 Women On Earth Can Wear White In Front Of The Pope — The Rare Rule Explained
There are guidelines provided by Vatican regulations regarding appropriate attire for meeting the pope on particular occasions. However, only a select few royal ladies are able to wear white as a symbol of three particular virtues.
Only seven women worldwide are permitted to wear white when meeting the pope, despite the fact that many people have met him over the years. They are not allowed to do so, though, when they are at papal funerals. What we know about the tradition is as follows.
How the Dress Code for Royal Women Meeting the Pope Changed
In 2009, Camilla, the current Queen Consort, met Pope Benedict XVI while she was still the Duchess of Cornwall. She donned the traditional long-sleeved black dress with a lace mantilla, or veil, to that encounter.
For generations, women had followed this clothing rule when they met His Holiness. But Camilla wore a pale gold dress and coat by Anna Valentine when she met the now-deceased Pope Francis in April 2017.
The Queen Consort apparently disregarded the Vatican’s dress rule by choosing not to wear headgear. Pope Francis, however, welcomed the change, therefore her appearance was not a problem. “Things have become more relaxed over the last few years [sic] there are no hard and fast rules,” a Vatican spokeswoman once clarified.
During her meeting with the pope, Camilla had to wear black rather than white because her husband, King Charles III, is the leader of the Anglican Church. She donned a black dress with cropped sleeves and a knee-length skirt when she saw Pope Francis during her royal tour of Italy two weeks before to his passing.
Since her husband’s succession in September 2022, this was her first papal audience. Since she is not authorised to wear white to such meetings, she complied with a subtle guideline.
The late Queen Elizabeth often wore black to meetings with the pope. However, Elizabeth has decided to meet Francis in her trademark vibrant flair ever since he was elected pope. She had, for example, worn a lilac outfit and cap in 2014.
Wearing white is just for a select few, even though wearing colours may now be accepted. Therefore, when Cherie Blair met Pope Benedict XVI in 2006, she did just that. The headlines that followed made fun of her, saying that she had a “grand idea of herself.”
Previously, only a select group of Catholic queens and princesses were allowed to wear white dresses. Princess Charlene of Monaco upheld the “privilege of the white,” or “privilège du blanc” in French or “il privilegio del bianco” in Italian, when she met Pope Francis in January 2016.
She was wearing a mantilla, matching driving gloves, a white jacket, and naked heels. Her crimson lipstick was the only colour she used to complete her look. Only six other queens and senior female royals worldwide, aside from Charlene, are formally eligible for the “privilège du blanc” clothing code.
These include Grand Duchess María Teresa of Luxembourg, Princess Marina of Naples, Queen Letizia of Spain, Queen Sofia of Spain, and Queen Mathilde and Queen Paola of Belgium.
According to protocol, people who have been granted permission may wear white to papal functions such as special masses, beatifications, canonisations, and private audiences.
Why Some Royals Wore Veils for Pope Francis’ Funeral
Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, and his funeral was held in Rome’s St. Peter’s Square on April 26.
Royals like Princess Charlene of Monaco, Queen Letizia of Spain, and Queen Rania of Jordan were among the many who came to pay their respects.
At the late pontiff’s service, the three wore veils and black clothing. Queen Letizia was dressed in a black gown with three-quarter length sleeves and a round neckline. The 50-year-old queen also wore identical heels and a black veil.
Letizia walked with her husband, who wore a black suit to match her outfit, and a black handbag. It is said that regardless of the circumstance, women must always wear veils when they meet the pope.
The Catholic Church’s long-standing tradition represents reverence and humility. Women are supposed to dress modestly, wearing long sleeves, a low hem, and little jewellery. Typically, tulle, lace, or delicate, see-through netting are used to make the mourning veil.
Danielle Stacey, a royal correspondent, explained, “Dressing head-to-toe in black is typically reserved for funerals and remembrance. Coincidentally, a black outfit is an essential item when all royals travel overseas, so that they are appropriately dressed in the event of a family death when they are abroad.”
At the pope’s funeral, however, it is not permitted to wear a white veil.
Royals including Queen Letizia wore the Vatican dress code to the 88-year-old pope’s funeral at St. Peter’s Basilica. According to Vatican regulation, participants in farewell rituals are required to wear dark or black attire.
As a demonstration of great respect, women are supposed to wear long or knee-length skirts with long sleeves and refrain from wearing jewellery. Additionally, jewellery shouldn’t be gaudy or overt.
But as Queen Sofía demonstrated when she wore pearls to Pope John Paul II’s burial on April 8, 2005, they are a dignified option. Another important consideration is footwear, with low heels being the best option.
Shoes should be closed and simple. Funerals are exempt from the regulation, hence it is not possible to invoke the “privilège du blanc” or wear white, the colour of the pope’s cassock. The privilege is symbolic; it stands for innocence, tranquilly, and purity.
It is said to be a mark of honour for royal families that have remained close to the Catholic Church. This tradition has been upheld over the years by the seven royal women who are allowed to wear white around the pope at specific gatherings.
Queen Sofia of Spain
On February 10, 1997, Queen Sofia was photographed meeting Pope Paul VI with King Juan Carlos and other Spanish royals while dressed all in white, including a veil.
Queen Letizia of Spain
On June 30, 2014, in Vatican City, Queen Letizia wore white to see Pope Francis and King Felipe VI at his private library in the Apostolic Palace. She had not met the former head of the Catholic Church since Felipe VI took the throne.
Queen Paola of Belgium
On May 15, 1998, in Vatican City, Queen Paola saw Pope John Paul II at his private library in the Apostolic Palace, where she was required to wear white and wear a veil.
Queen Mathilde of Belgium
When Queen Mathilde saw Pope Francis on March 9, 2015, she was dressed in all white and was kindly given a rosary during a private meeting at the Vatican.
Grand Duchess María Teresa of Luxembourg
During an audience at Pope Benedict XVI’s private library at the Vatican on May 8, 2006, Grand Duchess María Teresa was dressed in white and given a rosary.
Princess Marina of Naples
When Pope John Paul II arrived in St. Peter’s Square in his popemobile on May 18, 2003, for a special liturgy in Vatican City, he recognised bishops Emanuele Filiberto and his mother, Princess Marina Doria, as well as his father, Prince Victor Emmanuel.
Princess Charlene of Monaco
Princess Charlene of Monaco, the last royal to be allowed to wear white on specific occasions, did so on January 12, 2013, in Vatican City, when she saw Pope Benedict XVI at a special audience at his library. Speaking of popes, in 2025 a new one was elected.
The Pope Who Replaced Francis
Pope Francis’s successor was elected on May 8, 2025, a day after the conclave to choose the next head of the Catholic Church convened. The Church publicly reported the happy development on the Vatican News website.
The classic formula “Habemus Papam,” it said, was pronounced by Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti, who informed the globe, the throng below, and the city of Rome that Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost had been elected as the new pope.
Mamberti said in Latin, “I announce to you a great joy: We have a Pope.” He continued, “The Most Eminent and Most Reverend Lord Robert Francis Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church Prevost, who has taken the name Leo XIV.”
From the central loggia of Saint Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV was introduced as the 267th Bishop of Rome. His first remarks were, “Peace be with all of you!” to the faithful who had assembled to celebrate his election.
The election of Pope Leo XIV ushers in a new era for the Catholic Church. He is now sought for by the devout for spiritual leadership and direction.
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