Did Princess Charlene and Queen Letizia Break Style Protocol by Wearing White at Pope Leo’s Inaugural Mass?

Some of the royal women who attended Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration mass popped in the crowd by wearing white outfits — but is that permitted by Vatican tradition?

On May 18, Pope Leo XIV — born Robert Prevost of Chicago — marked the official start of his papacy with an inauguration Mass at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, drawing royalty from around the world for the historic celebration.

There, Princess Charlene of Monaco, Queen Letizia of Spain, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg stood out in white ensembles — while other prominent women, including Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein, U.S. Second Lady Usha Vance and Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska, opted for black, prompting curiosity about the contrast.

It was a deliberate choice for Princess Charlene, Queen Letizia, Queen Mathilde and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa to wear white, and one that reflects their religion. The four royals are all Catholic and among an exclusive group of just seven women in the world who are allowed to wear white around the pope. 

The tradition, known as “il privilegio del bianco” in Italian or “le privil ge du blanc” in French — meaning “the privilege of the white” — is a rare honor reserved for select Catholic queens and princesses. The protocol allows them to wear white during papal events such as private audiences, canonizations, beatifications and masses.

The privilege is a special exception and unusual fashion rule, as The Catholic Weekly notes that women who officially visit the Vatican or have private meetings with the pope typically wear black — just as Princess Sophie did.

The royal women who hold “the privilege of the white” often choose to do so, and the group on Sunday included Princess Charlene, 47, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, 69, and Queen Letizia and Queen Mathilde, both 52, Princess Marina of Naples, Queen Sofia of Spain (Letizia’s mother-in-law) and Queen Paola of Belgium (Mathilde’s mother-in-law).

In what was interpreted as a gesture of respect, Queen Camilla wore black to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican during her tour of Italy with King Charles in April. The royal couple met with Pope Francis on April 9, their 20th wedding anniversary, during what proved to be one of his final audiences before his death on April 21 at age 88.

Prince William later represented the British royals at the late Pope Francis’ funeral, and Prince Edward went on to attend Pope Leo’s inauguration mass on Sunday following the new pope’s May 18 election.

While the privilege of the white is widely regarded as a rule, it’s not a requirement. Queen Camilla previously wore cream to meet Pope Francis in 2017, following Queen Elizabeth’s lead.

King Charles’ late mother wore both black and bright colors during various audiences with Catholic popes during her record reign. She even sported one of her grandest tiaras — the Vladimir Tiara with pearl drop setting — with a long black veil while meeting Pope Paul II at the Vatican in 1980.

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Princess Charlene, Queen Letizia, Queen Mathilde and Princess Sophie notably had their heads covered with mantillas that matched their outfits at Pope Leo’s inauguration mass, while Grand Duchess Maria Teresa skipped the accessory.

The lace veils are another old tradition within the Catholic church and worn to symbolize modesty and respect. 

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