Why Pope Leo called Queen Camilla in a black dress

Queen Camilla leaned into tradition with timeless elegance during her historic state visit to Vatican City on Thursday, 23rd October, opting for an all-black outfit and veil for her meeting with Pope Leo XIV. 

While the look departed from her usual splashy style, it showed a savvy nod to papal protocol and the solemnity of the occasion proving that sometimes, understated sophistication speaks louder than colour.

Women attending a papal audience are traditionally expected to wear a modest black dress with sleeves and a black mantilla, a lace or silk veil draped over the head. 

Camilla’s look featured a black silk dress by Fiona Clare, a Philip Treacy mantilla, and the late Queen Elizabeth II’s “raspberry pip” brooch.

During the Vatican welcome, she said, “It is a great pleasure to be here.” 

The Queen previously adhered to the same dress code during a private audience with the late Pope Francis in April, although she did not wear a veil on that occasion. 

Notably, there is an exception to the tradition called “le privilège du blanc” the privilege of wearing white reserved for certain Catholic queens and princesses, allowing them to don white attire during papal audiences.

The exclusive group includes Queen Letizia of Spain, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Princess Charlene of Monaco, Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg, and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, along with two former queens, Queen Paola of Belgium and Queen Sofia of Spain.

Princess Charlene famously exercised this privilege in January 2013, marking a first in Monegasque history when she wore white to meet Pope Benedict XVI. 

Even further back, Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain is said to have been the first royal woman to use this right during a private audience with Pope Pius in November 1933.