The Privilege of White: Why Only Seven Royal Women Are Allowed This Rare Color Before the Pope

When meeting the Pope, there are formal rules that most Presidents, First Ladies, Prime Ministers, and other heads of state follow, whether you’re Catholic or not. One of the most important things to consider for those who have the rare opportunity to meet the supreme pontiff most likely has to do with attire: what do you wear?

For most leaders or representatives, the protocol is simple: conservative, modest, black attire. For women, this is often a dress that falls below the knees and has full-length or three-quarters-length sleeves. A veil or mantilla is also worn. For men, a dark-colored suit and tie are expected. However, for a very small number of women — seven, to be exact — it’s all right to wear white, a color that is typically frowned upon in front of the Pope.

These seven women are Catholic queens and princesses who have been granted il privilegio del bianco (privilege of white), and are allowed to wear long-sleeved white dresses and an optional white veil or mantilla. These royal women include Queen Sofía and Queen Letizia of Spain; Queen Mathilde and Queen Paola of Belgium; Grand DuchessMaria Teresa of Luxembourg; Princess Charlene of Monaco; and Princess Marina of Savoy.

However, being a Catholic queen or princess isn’t enough to be given the rare privilege. They must also be a part of marriages or countries that are traditionally Catholic. Queen Máxima of the Netherlands was raised as a Roman Catholic, and remains one to this day. But her husband, King Willem-Alexander, is Protestant, as is his family and their three children. Therefore, she is not allowed to wear white.

Another point that is taken into account is how far back the Queen or Princess’s country’s ties to the Catholic Church go. Spain’s ties to Catholicism go far back, as do those of Belgium and Luxembourg. Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso of Lesotho and the Princess of Liechtenstein are both Catholic, but have not been granted the honor of wearing white by the Vatican.

On March 28, Pope Leo XIV visited Monaco, and many were quick to point out that Princess Charlene wasn’t the only royal wearing white; 11-year-old Princess Gabriella was, too. While chances are she will also be granted the same privilege as her mother when she’s an adult, for now, it’s just as likely that she was exercising her privilege of being a child.