Princess Charlene of Monaco recently celebrated a significant moment during Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic visit to Monaco, where she donned an elegant white outfit, including a lace mantilla, in accordance with the Vatican’s esteemed protocol known as “le privilège du blanc,” or “the privilege of the white.” This honour is bestowed upon select Catholic queens and princesses, allowing them to wear white while meeting the Pope.
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In contrast to Charlene’s experience, her mother-in-law, Princess Grace of Monaco, adhered to a different tradition during her encounters with popes. Princess Grace, an American actress who became a royal through her marriage to Prince Rainier III, wore black when meeting popes due to the specific rules governing the House of Grimaldi. Despite her dedicated Catholic faith and the fact that Monaco is ruled as a principality rather than a monarchy, Princess Grace’s protocol did not include the privilege of wearing white.
During the recent visit on March 28, Princess Charlene, 47, appeared alongside her husband, Prince Albert II, and their 11-year-old twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella. Their attendance marked an important family moment, with the royal couple welcoming Pope Leo XIV at the Prince’s Palace of Monaco, exemplifying the connection between the principality and the Vatican.
Historically, Princess Grace met Pope Pius XII in 1957, when she had to comply with the requirement to wear black. This consistent adherence to protocol starkly contrasts with the privilege now enjoyed by Princess Charlene. Princess Grace’s life, which ended in tragedy in 1982 at the age of 52, was marked by her strong faith and the challenges she faced in her royal role.
Princess Charlene first had the honour of wearing white during her initial audience with Pope Benedict XVI in 2013, two years after her marriage to Prince Albert. Since then, she has mainly continued this tradition, although she broke from it in July 2022 when she opted for black for another meeting with the Pope.
The privilege of le privilège du blanc is a rarity and is also granted to a select group of women within royal circles. Notable figures who share this honour include Queen Letizia of Spain, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, and Grand Duchess Stéphanie of Luxembourg. As royal families saw changes in leadership, such as the abdication of Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg in 2025, these privileges undergo careful consideration, ensuring they remain relevant within the context of Vatican protocol.
During Pope Leo’s recent trip, a poignant moment occurred when he signed a book in front of a portrait of Princess Grace adorned in white, a sight interpreted by some as an acknowledgment of her own past interactions with the church and her unique relationship with the papacy.
Interestingly, it wasn’t just Princess Charlene who wore white during the event. Her daughter, Princess Gabriella, also sported a white outfit, although at her young age, it is likely that she does not possess the same official privilege, as exemptions for children might exist to allow them a degree of flexibility with royal attire.
The pride in this occasion was highlighted on the official Princely Palace of Monaco’s Instagram account, which praised Princess Charlene’s adherence to Vatican protocol and underscored the significant relationship between Monaco and the Holy See. The social media post read, “During the Holy Father’s visit to Monaco, H.S.H. Princess Charlene appeared in white. This choice adheres to a specific Vatican protocol and represents a rare distinction for the Principality—a reflection of the special bond between Monaco and the Holy See.”
As transitional times unfold within the principality, it is evident that the evolution of royal customs and traditions continues to adapt, ensuring that the legacies of past royals like Princess Grace are honoured while allowing new generations to thrive under the evolving protocols of a modern monarchy.