Why Only These 7 Women in the World Are Allowed to Wear White When Meeting the Pope

The Vatican rules offer guidance on how people should dress when meeting the pope during specific occasions. However, wearing white is a privilege reserved for only a handful of royal women to symbolize three specific virtues.

Many people have met different popes throughout the years, but only seven women worldwide are allowed to wear white when meeting him. However, they are not permitted to do so when attending papal funerals. Here is what we know about the tradition.

How the Dress Code for Royal Women Meeting the Pope Changed

When the current Queen Consort, Camilla, was still the Duchess of Cornwall, she met Pope Benedict XVI in 2009. During that meeting, she wore the customary black dress with long sleeves and a lace mantilla, or veil.

This dress code had been observed by women for centuries when meeting His Holiness. However, in April 2017, when Camilla met the now-late Pope Francis, she chose a pale gold dress and coat by Anna Valentine.

The Queen Consort opted not to wear headwear, seemingly defying the Vatican’s dress code. However, her look was not an issue, as Pope Francis welcomed the change. A Vatican spokesperson once explained, “Things have become more relaxed over the last few years [sic] there are no hard and fast rules.”

Since Camilla’s husband, King Charles III, is the head of the Anglican Church, she was required to wear black instead of white during her audience with the pope. When she met Francis two weeks before his death during her royal tour of Italy, she wore a black dress with cropped sleeves and a knee-length skirt.

The meeting marked her first papal audience since her husband’s accession in September 2022. She respected a nuanced rule, as she does not have permission to wear white for such meetings.

When the now-late Queen Elizabeth met with the pope, she always wore black. However, since Francis became pope, Elizabeth has chosen to stick to her signature colorful style when meeting him. For instance, in 2014, she wore a lilac suit with a matching hat.

While wearing colors may now be acceptable, it is still not advisable to wear white. Doing so risks offending the privileged few. In 2006, Cherie Blair did exactly that when she met Pope Benedict XVI. Subsequent headlines mocked her, stating that she had a “grand idea of herself.”

In the past, white dresses were only permitted for a few queens and princesses from Catholic regions. When Princess Charlene of Monaco met Pope Francis in January 2016, she adhered to the “privilège du blanc” in French or “il privilegio del bianco” in Italian, meaning “privilege of the white.”

She wore a white jacket, matching driving gloves, a mantilla, and nude heels. The only color she added to her ensemble was her red lipstick. Besides Charlene, only six other queens and senior female royals worldwide officially qualify for the “privilège du blanc” dress code.

They include Queen Letizia of Spain, Queen Sofia of Spain, Belgium’s Queen Mathilde and Queen Paola, Grand Duchess María Teresa of Luxembourg, and Princess Marina of Naples.

Protocol states that those with permission may wear white for papal events like private audiences, canonizations, beatifications, and special masses.

Why Some Royals Wore Veils for Pope Francis’ Funeral

On April 26, 2025, Pope Francis’ funeral was held at St. Peter’s Square in Rome following his death on April 21, Easter Monday.

Many people came to pay their respects, including royals like Princess Charlene of Monaco, Queen Letizia of Spain, and Queen Rania of Jordan.

The trio wore black outfits and veils at the late pontiff’s service. Queen Letizia wore a black dress with a round neckline and three-quarter-length sleeves. The 50-year-old royal also wore a black veil and a pair of matching heels.

Letizia carried a black handbag while walking with her husband, who matched her look with a black suit. Women are reportedly obligated to wear a veil when meeting the pope, regardless of the occasion.

The long-standing Catholic Church tradition symbolizes humility and respect. Women are expected to wear a modest black dress with a low hem, long sleeves, and minimal jewelry. The mourning veil is generally made from tulle, lace, or fine netting material that is see-through.

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.”

However, wearing a white veil at the pope’s funeral is forbidden.

While attending the 88-year-old pope’s funeral at St. Peter’s Basilica, royals like Letizia followed the Vatican dress protocol. Vatican protocol for farewell ceremonies states that attendees must wear black or dark colors.

Women are expected to wear long or knee-length dresses with long sleeves, while adornments should be avoided as a sign of deep respect. Jewelry should also not be flashy or ostentatious.

However, jewelry like pearls is a respectful choice, as seen when Queen Sofía wore them at Pope John Paul II’s funeral on April 8, 2005. The choice of footwear is also crucial, with low heels being preferred.

Shoes should be minimalist and closed. Wearing white, the color of the pope’s cassock, or invoking the “privilège du blanc” is not an option for funerals, as the rule does not apply. The privilege is symbolic, representing purity, innocence, and peace.

According to reports, it is a mark of honor for royal houses that have maintained strong ties to the Catholic Church. The seven royal women permitted to wear white around the pope during certain events have maintained this tradition throughout the years.

Examples of the Seven Royal Women Wearing White Around the Pope

Queen Sofia of Spain

On February 10, 1997, Queen Sofia was pictured wearing all white, including a veil, while meeting Pope Paul VI with King Juan Carlos and other Spanish royals.

Queen Letizia of Spain

When Queen Letizia met Pope Francis with King Felipe VI at his private library in the Apostolic Palace on June 30, 2014, in Vatican City, she was dressed in white. This marked her first meeting with the former head of the Catholic Church since Felipe VI became king.

Queen Paola of Belgium

White clothing and a veil were the order of the day when Queen Paola met Pope John Paul II at his private library in the Apostolic Palace on May 15, 1998, in Vatican City.

Queen Mathilde of Belgium

On March 9, 2015, when Queen Mathilde met Pope Francis, she graciously received a rosary during a private audience at the Vatican while wearing all white.

Grand Duchess María Teresa of Luxembourg

Grand Duchess María Teresa wore a white veil and clothing when she received a rosary from Pope Benedict XVI during an audience at his private library at the Vatican on May 8, 2006.

Princess Marina of Naples

On May 18, 2003, Pope John Paul II acknowledged bishops, Emanuele Filiberto and his mother, Princess Marina Doria, and his father, Prince Victor Emmanuel, while arriving in St. Peter’s Square in his popemobile for a special mass in Vatican City.

Princess Charlene of Monaco

The last royal permitted to wear white on certain occasions, Princess Charlene of Monaco, wore the attire when meeting Pope Benedict XVI with Prince Albert II of Monaco during a private audience at his library on January 12, 2013, in Vatican City.