Princess Charlene of Monaco captivated onlookers in an elegant white outfit during Pope Leo XIV’s visit to the principality on March 28. In contrast, fellow royal women Princess Caroline of Hanover, her daughter Charlotte Casiraghi, and daughter-in-law Beatrice Borromeo selected black ensembles for the event.
Tradition Dictates Charlene’s White Attire
Princess Charlene, 48, the wife of sovereign Prince Albert, followed protocol by wearing white, a privilege reserved for spouses of reigning Catholic monarchs in the Pope’s presence. Known as the privilège du blanc, this custom allows such royal women to don all-white outfits.
Charlene chose a custom Elie Saab coat dress with a tie-belt waist and knee-length skirt, layered over a matching white Elie Saab dress. She paired it with white stilettos and a traditional white mantilla veil.
Princess Gabriella, Charlene’s 11-year-old daughter, complemented her mother by twinning in white. The young princess wore a collared jacket and dress from Elie Saab, finished with Chloe Mary-Jane shoes.
Understanding the Privilège du Blanc
This Vatican tradition extends to female relatives of Catholic sovereigns. At Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration mass last May in St. Peter’s Square, Queen Letizia of Spain and Queen Mathilde of Belgium appeared in white, reflecting their ties to Catholic monarchies.
However, restrictions apply elsewhere. Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria, daughter of King Carl XVI Gustaf and head of the Church of Sweden, could not match the others. Prince William attended the event, but if Catherine, Princess of Wales, had joined, she too would have been barred from white, as King Charles leads the Protestant Church of England.
