Royals Visiting the Pope

[Augusto Saraiva]

Let's answer these questions once and for all. As we know, any woman, noble or commoner, must wear black on a visit to the Vatican, except the Catholic sovereigns, regnants or consorts, whose style of Majesty/Highness Catholic has been conferred by the Holy See
So who have the "privilège du blanc" is the Queen Paola of Belgium and Queen Fabiola, the Queen Sofia of Spain and the Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg.

Moreover, the claimants to the thrones of ancient Catholic monarchies, though deposed, don't lost this right, allowing the Princess of Savoy, the Duchess of Braganza, the Duchess of Anjou (because only the Orléanist branch keeps the Catholic style) and the Crown Princess Regina of Austria (while she was alive) the use of white garments in papal audiences.

I hope I have been helpfull.

[amedea]

So can you explain why they (the claimants) don't usually use this right? And why the Italian princesses used to wear white until 1946?

[Lumutqueen]

Visiting the Pope.
Sophia happens to be a Catholic Queen and is allowed to wear white, and Elizabeth is of another religion and has to wear black.
I presume it's Queen Sofia of Spain and Queen Elizabeth II.

[Sanneeee]

I have a question about the privilège du blanc. I know you must have been granted the title Catholic Majesties but I've read somewere (can't remember where) that some of the German Fürstinnen and princesses also had the privilège. Is that true and wich princesses had the right!

Thanks!

[monica17]

Does the Pope still give the Golden Rose?

[icelisou68]

Originally Posted by monica17

Does the Pope still give the Golden Rose?

Yes, he does but it hasn't been given to people in a very long time ( since it was given by His Holiness Pius XII to Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxemburg in 1956), it is now usually given to places and shrines.

[Emperor Roku XIV]

I wonder how it goes when the British monarch visits the pope, what with Henry VIII and all.

[Madame Royale]

I'd very much like to see the Crown Princely couple of Denmark make an official visit to the Holy See. Hope such a visit eventuates in the not so distant future.

[NGalitzine]

Originally Posted by Emperor Roku XIV

I wonder how it goes when the British monarch visits the pope, what with Henry VIII and all.

Elizabeth II has visited the Vatican on more than one occassion and been received by Popes, and has received JPII and the current pope during their visits to the UK, so their does not seem to be a problem. The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall also visited the Vatican and were received by the Pope a couple of years ago. Both Elizabeth and Camilla wore the traditional balck during their viists to The Vatican. No 500 year old grudges.

[jaysonbautista]

does some royals still practice the privilege du blanc?

[Moonmaiden23]

Yes, the queens of Spain and Belgium as well as the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg have all taken advantage of the privilege du blanc.

[Mariel]

I read that Lord Nicholas Windsor and his wife visited the pope at the Vatican, and in fact were married in the Vatican (he is a Catholic convert). He is not a king or prince but he is of the British royal family.

[Lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by Mariel1

I read that Lord Nicholas Windsor and his wife visited the pope at the Vatican, and in fact were married in the Vatican (he is a Catholic convert). He is not a king or prince but he is of the British royal family.

They married on 4 November 2006 in the Church of St Stephen of the Abyssinians in the Vatican following a civil ceremony on 19 October 2006 in a London register office.

[amedea]

Charlene of Monaco visiting the Pope on 12 January 2013 and wearing WHITE.
Image

Was the protocol changed or infringed?

[Lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by amedea

Charlene of Monaco visiting the Pope on 12 January 2013 and wearing WHITE.
Image

Was the protocol changed or infringed?

Protocol was broken.

[Charlotte_Aster]

Well, she is Catholic and she is the wife of a Catholic sovereign monarch. (Yes, I'm aware that she not a Catholic Queen). Are we 100% sure that they didn't give her a privilige du blanc? up till now, she was very careful regarding these sort of protocol rules and i seriously doubt she would make such a HUGE mistake. Also, aren't there people whose job it is to make sure such faux-pas don't happen? (if this was one that is?)

[An Ard Ri]

Nice collection of photo's of Royals, Presidents,First ladies ,Prime ministers meeting the various Popes.

Politicos and Popes: Mantilla Action in the Vatican


Catholic Mantilla - Will You Mantilla With Me?: Politicos and Popes: Mantilla Action in the Vatican

[ANNIE_S]

Maybe she was granted the "privilege du blanc". I don´t think any royal would make such a mistake, protocol in Vatican is very strict. And I guess she has someone near that can tell her that she can´t wear white when visiting the Pope, if that´s the case.

[An Ard Ri]

Originally Posted by ANNIE_S

Maybe she was granted the "privilege du blanc". I don´t think any royal would make such a mistake, ANNIE_Sin Vatican is very strict. And I guess she has someone near that can tell her that she can´t wear white when visiting the Pope, if that´s the case.

I'd agree with you ANNIE S I can't see it being an error as I'm sure they were briefed on Papal protocol prior to the visit.It may become more clear in the next few days that Princess Charléne has been granted this Papal Privilege.

[NGalitzine]

We know know (see link in the Albert & Chrlen thread) according to The Vatican that the privilege du blanc has been extended to Catholic princesses so protocol was not broken and it was not a mistake for the Princess of Monaco to wear white for an audiance with The Pope.