Charlene, Princess of Monaco wore a white Dior ensemble before the Pope Leo XIV in France. The privilege of white and the rules of protocol.
Princess Charlene of Monaco once again demonstrated how fashion and protocol can coexist in a single choice. For her meeting with Pope Leo XIV in Metz, France, on Monday, September 28, she opted for a sophisticated white suit from Christian Dior. An choice that did not go unnoticed and that has a historical explanation: the so-called privilège du blanc, a privilege reserved for a small group of royal women.
The princess arrived accompanied by her husband, The Prince Albert II, to participate in a gathering about the roots of Europe, peace and unity. There they were welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte, who, unlike Charlene, wore a black ensemble.
Charlene’s total-white look, Dior-designed
For the occasion, Charlene chose a white tailoring suit by Christian Dior, consisting of a fitted jacket with gold buttons and delicate white embroidery around the collar, and trousers in the same shade. A classic-line proposal whose main appeal lay in the details.
She completed the styling with pearl earrings and a white quilted handbag, also from Dior. The choice of a single color from head to toe reinforced the elegance of an outfit designed for an institutional occasion, where every clothing detail takes on a particular meaning.
What is the privilege of white and why Charlene can wear it
The privilège du blanc, or privilege of white, is a Vatican protocol exception that allows certain Catholic queens and princesses to dress in white for official meetings with the Pope. While, as a rule, women are expected to appear in black, some members of royalty are granted permission to wear white.
Charlene belongs to that select group, along with Queen Letizia and Queen Sofía of Spain, the Queen Mathilde and Queen Emerita Paola of Belgium, and the grand duchesses Maria Teresa and Stéphanie of Luxembourg. The Princess Marina of Naples is also included.
Traditionally, the practice often includes wearing a white mantilla, although it is not a requirement that is necessarily observed at every appearance. In Charlene’s case, this prerogative is not new: she had already worn it in 2013, during an audience with Pope Benedict XVI.
Why Brigitte Macron chose black
The difference between Charlene’s and Brigitte Macron’s outfits clearly illustrated how this tradition operates. While Monaco’s princess opted for white, the French First Lady wore black, in accordance with the usual protocol for women meeting the Pontiff.
In this case, the choice was not purely aesthetic. The privilege of white is linked to the status of certain members of Catholic royal houses and constitutes a specific exception within Vatican etiquette. Therefore, even though both attended the same meeting, their options for attire were different.
What could happen during Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Argentina
The official visit of Leo XIV to Argentina, scheduled for November 8 to 11, will once again place papal protocol at the center of attention. The Pope is expected to hold institutional and pastoral meetings, including a session with President Javier Milei at the Casa Rosada.
In those occasions, the clothing of the women participating in the meetings will be guided by the appropriate etiquette. However, the privilege of white does not automatically extend to all women who receive the Pope: it is reserved for certain members of royal families.
That is why Charlene’s appearance in France offers a rare glimpse into one of the Vatican’s most distinctive traditions. A historical rule that, whenever put into practice, also becomes a fashion detail.
