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[[File:Pio XII al Quirinale.JPG|thumb|[[Elena of Montenegro|Queen Elena of Italy]] and [[Marie José of Belgium|Crown Princess Marie-José]] wearing white garments in the presence of [[Pope Pius XII]] at the [[Quirinal Palace]] on 27 December 1939.]]
[[File:Pio XII al Quirinale.JPG|thumb|[[Elena of Montenegro|Queen Elena of Italy]] and [[Marie José of Belgium|Crown Princess Marie-José]] wearing white garments in the presence of [[Pope Pius XII]] at the [[Quirinal Palace]] on 27 December 1939.]]


{{lang|fr|Le '''privilège du blanc'''}} ({{IPA-fr|lə pʁivilɛʒ dy blɑ̃|pron}}; "the privilege of the white") is a custom of the [[Catholic Church]] that permits certain designated female royalty to wear white clothing (traditionally a white dress and white veil) during an audience with the [[pope]].<ref>James-Charles Noonan, Jr., ''The Church Visible: The Ceremonial Life and Protocol of the Roman Catholic Church'' (New York: Viking, 1996), 411.</ref> It is an exception to the traditional requirement of women to wear black garments on such occasions, which has become optional since the 1980s.
{{lang|fr|Le '''privilège du blanc'''}} ({{IPA|fr|lə pʁivilɛʒ dy blɑ̃|pron}}; "the privilege of the white") is a custom of the [[Catholic Church]] that permits certain designated female royalty to wear white clothing (traditionally a white dress and white veil) during an audience with the [[pope]].<ref>James-Charles Noonan, Jr., ''The Church Visible: The Ceremonial Life and Protocol of the Roman Catholic Church'' (New York: Viking, 1996), 411.</ref> It is an exception to the traditional requirement of women to wear black garments on such occasions, which has become optional since the 1980s.


==History==
==History==
Traditionally, the protocol for papal audiences required women to wear a long black garment with long sleeves, and a black veil, the colour of which signified the virtues of piety and humility. The queens of [[List of Portuguese royal consorts|Portugal]], [[List of Italian royal consorts|Italy]], [[List of Belgian royal consorts|Belgium]] and [[List of Spanish royal consorts|Spain]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095555308 | title=His Catholic Majesty }}</ref> were exempt from this rule, as were the [[List of Luxembourgish consorts|Grand Duchess of Luxembourg]] and the princesses of the [[House of Savoy]].
Traditionally, the protocol for papal audiences required women to wear a long black garment with long sleeves, and a black veil, the colour of which signified the virtues of piety and humility. The queens of [[List of Portuguese royal consorts|Portugal]], [[List of Italian royal consorts|Italy]], [[List of Belgian royal consorts|Belgium]] and [[List of Spanish royal consorts|Spain]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095555308 | title=His Catholic Majesty }}</ref> were exempt from this rule, as were the [[List of Luxembourgish consorts|Grand Duchess of Luxembourg]] and the princesses of the [[House of Savoy]].


Those who are at present permitted to wear white garments include the Queens of [[Spain]] and [[Belgium]], the Grand Duchess of [[Luxembourg]] and the [[Princess of Monaco]], in summary those royal houses whose regents had been given the title of "(Most) Catholic Majesty" ''(Rex catholicissimus)''.{{CN|date=June 2023}}
Those permitted to wear white garments include the Queens of [[Spain]] and [[Belgium]], the Grand Duchess of [[Luxembourg]] and the [[Princess of Monaco]].


The protocol for papal audiences formerly required that women wear a long black dress with a high collar and long sleeves, and a black [[mantilla]].<ref>George Seldes, ''The Vatican: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow'' (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1934), 125.</ref><ref>Fabio Cassani Pironti, ''Ordini in ordine: manuale d'uso decorazioni per il corpo diplomatico accreditato presso la Santa Sede, il Sovrano militare Ordine di Malta ed i rispettivi dignitari'' (Roma: Laurus Robuffo, 2004), 42 and 87.</ref> Certain designated Catholic queens and princesses have nonetheless traditionally been exempted from wearing black garments.
The protocol for papal audiences formerly required that women wear a long black dress with a high collar and long sleeves, and a black [[mantilla]].<ref>George Seldes, ''The Vatican: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow'' (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1934), 125.</ref><ref>Fabio Cassani Pironti, ''Ordini in ordine: manuale d'uso decorazioni per il corpo diplomatico accreditato presso la Santa Sede, il Sovrano militare Ordine di Malta ed i rispettivi dignitari'' (Roma: Laurus Robuffo, 2004), 42 and 87.</ref> Certain designated Catholic queens and princesses have nonetheless traditionally been exempted from wearing black garments.


The privilege is not used by the wives of all Catholic monarchs or by the Catholic wives of non-Catholic monarchs. Even though they are Catholics, it is not accorded to the [[Queen 'Masenate Mohato Seeiso|Queen of Lesotho]] or the [[List of princesses consort of Liechtenstein|Princess of Liechtenstein]].<ref>https://catholicsay.com/only-seven-women-in-the-world-can-wear-white-to-officially-meet-the-pope-2/</ref> It is also not afforded to the wife of a male [[President of France]], even though the French President is ''ex-officio'' [[Co-Prince of Andorra]]. The privilege is also not accorded to [[Queen Máxima of the Netherlands]], who is the Catholic wife of the Protestant [[King Willem-Alexander]]; nor to [[Katharine, Duchess of Kent]], [[Princess Michael of Kent]], or [[Sylvana Tomaselli|Sylvana, Countess of Saint Andrews]], who are the senior Catholic members of the Protestant [[British royal family]].{{CN|date=November 2021}}
The privilege is not used by the wives of all Catholic monarchs or by the Catholic wives of non-Catholic monarchs. Even though they are Catholics, it is not accorded to the [[Queen 'Masenate Mohato Seeiso|Queen of Lesotho]], the [[List of princesses consort of Liechtenstein|Princess of Liechtenstein]], the [[Māori King movement|Māori Queen]], or the [[Afro-Bolivian monarchy|Queen of the Afro-Bolivians]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://catholicsay.com/only-seven-women-in-the-world-can-wear-white-to-officially-meet-the-pope-2/ | title=Only 7 Women in the World Can Wear White to Officially Meet the Pope &#124; Articles | date=21 August 2017 }}</ref> It is also not accorded to the wife of a [[President of France]], even though the French President is ''ex-officio'' [[Co-Prince of Andorra]]. The privilege is also not accorded to [[Queen Máxima of the Netherlands]], who is the Catholic wife of the Protestant [[King Willem-Alexander]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}


==List of eligibility==
==List of eligibility==
{{unreferenced section|date=November 2021}}
{{unreferenced section|date=November 2021}}
The following living royal women are currently eligible for the privilege:{{CN|date=June 2023}}
As of 2023, the following living royal women are eligible for the privilege:{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left"
|-
|-
Line 39: Line 39:
|accession of husband to the Spanish throne (2014)
|accession of husband to the Spanish throne (2014)
|-
|-
|align=left|[[Marina Doria|The Princess of Naples/Princess of Piedmont]], consort of the head of the House of Savoy
|align=left|[[Marina Doria|The Princess of Naples/Princess of Piedmont]], widow of the head of the House of Savoy
|accession of husband to headship of the Italian house (1983)
|accession of husband to headship of the Italian house (1983)
|-
|align=left|[[Clotilde Courau|The Princess of Venice]], consort of the head of the House of Savoy
|accession of husband to headship of the Italian house (2024)
|}
|}


==In recent years==
==In recent years==
[[File:Monagesque Princess Charlene at the Vatican.jpg|thumb|The [[Princess of Monaco]] meeting Pope Francis on an official state visit at the Vatican.]]
[[File:Monagesque Princess Charlene at the Vatican.jpg|thumb|The [[Princess of Monaco]] meeting Pope Francis on an official state visit at the Vatican.]]
[[Marina, Princess of Naples]], widow of the former Head of the [[House of Savoy]], [[Vittorio Emanuele, Prince of Naples]], used the privilege on 18 May 2003 during a [[Catholic mass]] marking the birth anniversary of [[Pope John Paul II]].<ref name="marina">{{cite web|last=|first=|date=19 May 2003|title=Marina in San Pietro con tailleur bianco|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2003/maggio/19/Marina_San_Pietro_con_tailleur_co_0_030519614.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102195939/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2003/maggio/19/Marina_San_Pietro_con_tailleur_co_0_030519614.shtml|archive-date=2014-01-02|access-date=2020-11-29|website=Corriere della Sera}}</ref>
[[Marina, Princess of Naples]], wife of the former Head of the [[House of Savoy]], [[Vittorio Emanuele, Prince of Naples]], used the privilege on 18 May 2003 during a [[Catholic Mass]] marking the birth anniversary of [[Pope John Paul II]].<ref name="marina">{{cite web|last=|first=|date=19 May 2003|title=Marina in San Pietro con tailleur bianco|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2003/maggio/19/Marina_San_Pietro_con_tailleur_co_0_030519614.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102195939/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2003/maggio/19/Marina_San_Pietro_con_tailleur_co_0_030519614.shtml|archive-date=2014-01-02|access-date=2020-11-29|website=Corriere della Sera}}</ref>


For the first time in [[Monaco|Monégasque]] history on 12 January 2013, [[Charlene, Princess of Monaco]], used the privilege in an audience with [[Pope Benedict XVI]]. The [[Holy See Press Office]] later issued a press release declaring the following:
For the first time in [[Monaco|Monégasque]] history on 12 January 2013, [[Charlene, Princess of Monaco]], used the privilege in an audience with [[Pope Benedict XVI]]. The [[Holy See Press Office]] later issued a press release declaring the following:


{{Quote|"…in accordance with prescribed ceremonial of the Vatican for Catholic Sovereigns, the Princess (of Monaco) was allowed to dress in white."{{CN|date=November 2021}}}}
{{Blockquote|"…in accordance with prescribed ceremonial of the Vatican for Catholic sovereigns, the princess [of Monaco] was allowed to dress in white."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ledbetter |first=Carly |date=2017-05-24 |title=Here's Why Melania Trump Wore Black To Meet The Pope |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/melania-trump-pope-wear-black_n_59258828e4b00c8df2a08d40 |access-date=2024-03-13 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}</ref>}}


Charlene availed the privilege again on 18 January 2016 when visiting [[Pope Francis]] as part of an official state visit to the Vatican with her husband, [[Albert II, Prince of Monaco]].
Charlene availed the privilege again on 18 January 2016 when visiting [[Pope Francis]] as part of an official state visit to the Vatican with her husband, [[Albert II, Prince of Monaco]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barcelona |first=Ainhoa |date=2016-01-18 |title=Princess Charlene of Monaco is a vision in white as she meets the Pope |url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2016011829313/princess-charlene-wears-white-pope/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |website=HELLO! |language=en}}</ref>


==List of occasions used==
==List of occasions used==
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{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!| Date
!| Date
!| Queen / Princess
!| Queen/Princess
!| Pontiff
!| Pontiff
!| Occasion
!| Occasion
|-
|-
| 2023 September 15
| 2024 September 27
| [[Queen Mathilde of Belgium]]
| [[Queen Mathilde of Belgium]]
| [[Pope Francis|Francis]]
| [[Pope Francis|Francis]]
| State visit to Belgium
⚫
| Private Audience
|-
| 2023 September 15
| [[Queen Mathilde of Belgium]]
| Francis
⚫
| Private audience
|-
|-
| 2018 October 14
| 2018 October 14
| [[Queen Sofía of Spain]]
| [[Queen Sofía of Spain]]
| [[Pope Francis|Francis]]
| Francis
| [[Canonization]] of [[Pope Paul VI]]
| [[Canonization]] of [[Pope Paul VI]]
|-
|-
| 2016 September 4
| 2016 September 4
| [[Queen Sofía of Spain]]
| [[Queen Sofía of Spain]]
| [[Pope Francis|Francis]]
| Francis
| [[Canonization]] of [[Saint Teresa of Calcutta]]
| [[Canonization]] of [[Saint Teresa of Calcutta]]
|-
|-
| 2016 March 21
| 2016 March 21
| [[Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg]]
| [[Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg]]
| [[Pope Francis|Francis]]
| Francis
| Private audience<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-receives-grand-duke-and-duchess-of-lu|title=Pope Francis receives Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg|work=news.va|access-date=1 October 2016|archive-date=5 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705162956/http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-receives-grand-duke-and-duchess-of-lu|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{Verify source|date=November 2021}}
| Private audience<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-receives-grand-duke-and-duchess-of-lu|title=Pope Francis receives Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg|work=news.va|access-date=1 October 2016|archive-date=5 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705162956/http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-receives-grand-duke-and-duchess-of-lu|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{Verify source|date=November 2021}}
|-
|-
| 2016 January 18
| 2016 January 18
| [[Charlene, Princess of Monaco]]
| [[Charlene, Princess of Monaco]]
| [[Pope Francis|Francis]]
| Francis
| State visit to the Vatican
| State visit to the Vatican
|-
|-
| 2015 March 9
| 2015 March 9
| [[Queen Mathilde of Belgium]]
| [[Queen Mathilde of Belgium]]
| [[Pope Francis|Francis]]
| Francis
| Private audience
| Private audience
|-
|-
| 2014 June 30
| 2014 June 30
| [[Queen Letizia of Spain]]
| [[Queen Letizia of Spain]]
| [[Pope Francis|Francis]]
| Francis
| State visit to the Vatican
| State visit to the Vatican
|-
|-
| 2014 April 27
| 2014 April 27
| {{unbulleted list|[[Queen Sofía of Spain]]|[[Queen Paola of Belgium]]|[[Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg]]}}
| {{unbulleted list|[[Queen Sofía of Spain]]|[[Queen Paola of Belgium]]|[[Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg]]}}
| [[Pope Francis|Francis]]
| Francis
| Canonization of [[Pope John XXIII]] and [[Pope John Paul II]]
| Canonization of [[Pope John XXIII]] and [[Pope John Paul II]]
|-
|-
| 2013 March 19
| 2013 March 19
| {{unbulleted list|[[Queen Paola of Belgium]]|[[Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg]]}}
| {{unbulleted list|[[Queen Paola of Belgium]]|[[Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg]]}}
| [[Pope Francis|Francis]]
| Francis
| Inaugural mass of Pope Francis
| Inaugural Mass of Pope Francis
|-
|-
| 2013 January 12
| 2013 January 12
Line 115: Line 123:
| 2011 May 1
| 2011 May 1
| {{unbulleted list|[[Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg]]|[[Queen Paola of Belgium]]}}
| {{unbulleted list|[[Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg]]|[[Queen Paola of Belgium]]}}
| [[Pope Benedict XVI|Benedict XVI]]
| Benedict XVI
| [[Beatification of Pope John Paul II]]
| [[Beatification of Pope John Paul II]]
|-
|-
| 2009 October 10
| 2009 October 10
| [[Queen Paola of Belgium]]
| [[Queen Paola of Belgium]]
| [[Pope Benedict XVI|Benedict XVI]]
| Benedict XVI
| Private audience
| Private audience
|-
|-
| 2006 May 8
| 2006 May 8
| [[Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg]]
| [[Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg]]
| [[Pope Benedict XVI|Benedict XVI]]
| Benedict XVI
| Private audience
| Private audience
|-
|-
| 2005 April 24
| 2005 April 24
| {{unbulleted list|[[Queen Sofía of Spain]]|[[Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg]]}}
| {{unbulleted list|[[Queen Sofía of Spain]]|[[Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg]]}}
| [[Pope Benedict XVI|Benedict XVI]]
| Benedict XVI
| Inaugural mass of Pope Benedict XVI
| Inaugural Mass of Pope Benedict XVI
|-
|-
| 2004 October 3
| 2004 October 3
Line 140: Line 148:
| 2003 May 18
| 2003 May 18
| [[Marina Doria|Marina, Dowager Princess of Naples]]
| [[Marina Doria|Marina, Dowager Princess of Naples]]
| [[Pope John Paul II|John Paul II]]
| John Paul II
| Birthday of Pope John Paul II
| Birthday of Pope John Paul II
|-
|-
| 2003 March 23
| 2003 March 23
| {{unbulleted list|[[Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg]]|[[Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg]]}}
| {{unbulleted list|[[Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg]]|[[Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg]]}}
| [[Pope John Paul II|John Paul II]]
| John Paul II
| Private audience
| Private audience
|-
|-
| 1998 May 15
| 1998 May 15
| [[Queen Paola of Belgium]]
| [[Queen Paola of Belgium]]
| [[Pope John Paul II|John Paul II]]
| John Paul II
| Private audience
| Private audience
|-
|-
| 1981 April 30
| 1981 April 30
| [[Queen Sofía of Spain]]
| [[Queen Sofía of Spain]]
| [[Pope John Paul II|John Paul II]]
| John Paul II
| Private audience
| Private audience
|-
|-
| 1978 October 22
| 1978 October 22
| {{unbulleted list|[[Princess Josephine Charlotte of Belgium|Josephine Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg]]|[[Queen Sofía of Spain]]}}
| {{unbulleted list|[[Princess Josephine Charlotte of Belgium|Josephine Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg]]|[[Queen Sofía of Spain]]}}
| [[Pope John Paul II|John Paul II]]
| John Paul II
| Inaugural mass of Pope John Paul II
| Inaugural Mass of Pope John Paul II
|-
|-
| 1978 September 3
| 1978 September 3
| {{unbulleted list|[[Fabiola, Queen of the Belgians]]|[[Queen Sofía of Spain]]|[[Princess Josephine Charlotte of Belgium|Josephine Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg]] }}
| {{unbulleted list|[[Fabiola, Queen of the Belgians]]|[[Queen Sofía of Spain]]|[[Princess Josephine Charlotte of Belgium|Josephine Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg]] }}
| [[Pope John Paul I|John Paul I]]
| [[Pope John Paul I|John Paul I]]
| Inaugural mass of Pope John Paul I
| Inaugural Mass of Pope John Paul I
|-
|-
| 1977 February 10
| 1977 February 10
Line 175: Line 183:
| 1965 May 6
| 1965 May 6
| [[Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium|Josephine Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg]]
| [[Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium|Josephine Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg]]
| [[Pope Paul VI|Paul VI]]
| Paul VI
| Private audience{{CN|date=November 2021}}
| Private audience{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}
|-
|-
| 1961 June 9
| 1961 June 9
| [[Fabiola of Belgium|Fabiola. Queen of the Belgians]]
| [[Fabiola of Belgium|Fabiola, Queen of the Belgians]]
| [[Pope John XXIII|John XXIII]]
| [[Pope John XXIII|John XXIII]]
| Private audience<ref>"Privilege for Fabiola", ''New York Times'' (June 10, 1961), 10.</ref>
| Private audience<ref>"Privilege for Fabiola", ''New York Times'' (June 10, 1961), 10.</ref>
Line 194: Line 202:
|-
|-
| 1935 March 4
| 1935 March 4
| [[Infante Jaime, Duke of Segovia|Emanuela de Borbón y Dampierre, Duchess of Anjou and Segovia]]
| [[Emmanuelle de Dampierre|Emanuela de Borbón y Dampierre, Duchess of Anjou and Segovia]]
| [[Pope Pius XI|Pius XI]]
| Pius XI
| Private audience after wedding
| Private audience after wedding
|-
|-
| 1930 January 8
| 1930 January 8
| [[Marie-José of Belgium|Marie José, Princess of Piedmont]]
| [[Marie-José of Belgium|Marie José, Princess of Piedmont]]
| [[Pope Pius XI|Pius XI]]
| Pius XI
| Private audience after wedding
| Private audience after wedding
|-
|-
| 1929 December 28
| 1929 December 28
| [[Princess Adelaide of Savoy-Genoa|Princess Adelaide of Savoy]]
| [[Princess Adelaide of Savoy-Genoa|Princess Adelaide of Savoy]]
| [[Pope Pius XI|Pius XI]]
| Pius XI
| Private audience<ref>{{cite news | title =Italian Princes See Pope: Duke and Duchess of Genoa Among Seven of House of Savoy Present | url =https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=980CE5D81239E43ABC4151DFB4678382639EDE | newspaper=The New York Times | date=29 December 1929 | publication-date =1929-12-29 | quote=Pope Pius received additional Princes of the ruling House of Savoy in audience today. They included the Duke and Duchess of Genoa, the Prince of Udine, the Duke of Pistoia, the Duke of Bergamo, Princess Maria Adelaide and the Duke of Ancona.| issn =0362-4331 | oclc =1645522 | access-date = 2016-06-08 }}</ref>{{Verify source|date=November 2021}}
| Private audience<ref>{{cite news | title =Italian Princes See Pope: Duke and Duchess of Genoa Among Seven of House of Savoy Present | url =https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=980CE5D81239E43ABC4151DFB4678382639EDE | newspaper=The New York Times | date=29 December 1929 | publication-date =1929-12-29 | quote=Pope Pius received additional Princes of the ruling House of Savoy in audience today. They included the Duke and Duchess of Genoa, the Prince of Udine, the Duke of Pistoia, the Duke of Bergamo, Princess Maria Adelaide and the Duke of Ancona.| issn =0362-4331 | oclc =1645522 | access-date = 2016-06-08 }}</ref>{{Verify source|date=November 2021}}
|-
|-
| 1929 December 7
| 1929 December 7
| {{unbulleted list|[[Princess Giovanna of Savoy]]|[[Princess Maria Francesca of Savoy]]}}
| {{unbulleted list|[[Princess Giovanna of Savoy]]|[[Princess Maria Francesca of Savoy]]}}
| [[Pope Pius XI|Pius XI]]
| Pius XI
| Private audience<ref name="nyt-gm">"Prince and Sisters Pay Visit to Pope", ''New York Times'' (December 8, 1929), 5.</ref>{{Verify source|date=November 2021}}
| Private audience<ref name="nyt-gm">"Prince and Sisters Pay Visit to Pope", ''New York Times'' (December 8, 1929), 5.</ref>{{Verify source|date=November 2021}}
|-
|-
| 1929 December 5
| 1929 December 5
| {{unbulleted list|[[Queen Elena of Italy]]|[[Princess Hélène of Orléans]]|[[Elisabeth of Bavaria (1876-1965)|Elisabeth, Queen of Belgium]]|Princess Maria Cristina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies}}
| {{unbulleted list|[[Queen Elena of Italy]]|[[Princess Hélène of Orléans]]|[[Elisabeth of Bavaria (1876-1965)|Elisabeth, Queen of Belgium]]|Princess Maria Cristina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies}}
| [[Pope Pius XI|Pius XI]]
| Pius XI
| Private audience after signing of the [[Lateran Treaty]]<ref>"Italy's Sovereigns Make First Visit to Pope", ''New York Times'' (December 6, 1929), 1.</ref>{{Verify source|date=November 2021}}
| Private audience after signing of the [[Lateran Treaty]]<ref>"Italy's Sovereigns Make First Visit to Pope", ''New York Times'' (December 6, 1929), 1.</ref>{{Verify source|date=November 2021}}
|-
|-
| 1923 November 19
| 1923 November 19
| [[Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg|Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain]]
| [[Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg|Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain]]
| [[Pope Pius XI|Pius XI]]
| Pius XI
| Private audience<ref>"Alfonso Received in Papal Splendor", ''New York Times'' (November 20, 1923), 7.</ref>{{Verify source|date=November 2021}}
| Private audience<ref>"Alfonso Received in Papal Splendor", ''New York Times'' (November 20, 1923), 7.</ref>{{Verify source|date=November 2021}}
|-
|-
Line 226: Line 234:


<!--==Wearing white absent the privilege==
<!--==Wearing white absent the privilege==
Though few, there have been occasions since the ''privilège du blanc'' was regularized where women of rank have appeared for papal audiences in white despite the custom. Such breaches of protocol have attracted press attention and scrutiny, drawing complaints of that the wearer did lacked respect for the Pope and Vatican traditions. For instance, in 2006, [[Cherie Blair]], a prominent British Catholic barrister and the wife of then-British Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]], was criticised for wearing white garments when visiting [[Pope Benedict XVI]] on 28 April 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/1516991/White-outfit-wrong-occasion-Cherie.html|title=White outfit, wrong occasion, Cherie|publisher=Telegraph Online}}</ref> Blair was speaking at a Vatican conference on children and youth. The Pontiff, hearing she was at the Vatican, requested she meet with him, only giving her a few minutes' notice and forcing her to rush in her day clothes to accommodate the Pope's request; her day clothes happened to be white.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2006/apr/28/politicalnews.uk|title=Cherie Blair gets surprise audience with Pope|first=Press|last=Association|date=28 April 2006|publisher=|access-date=1 October 2016|via=The Guardian}}</ref> Blair had previously worn black garments to meet with the Pontiff. By contrast, [[Mehriban Aliyeva]], the spouse of the President of [[Azerbaijan]] [[Ilham Aliyev]], seems to have given no reason for wearing white during a 2020 visit to the Vatican, even though she was neither royal nor Catholic.<Ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3195955.html|title = Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva meet with Pope Francis in Vatican (PHOTO)|date = 22 February 2020}}</ref>-->
Though few, there have been occasions since the ''privilège du blanc'' was regularized where women of rank have appeared for papal audiences in white despite the custom. Such breaches of protocol have attracted press attention and scrutiny, drawing complaints of that the wearer did lacked respect for the Pope and Vatican traditions. For instance, in 2006, [[Cherie Blair]], a prominent British Catholic barrister and the wife of then-British Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]], was criticised for wearing white garments when visiting [[Pope Benedict XVI]] on 28 April 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/1516991/White-outfit-wrong-occasion-Cherie.html|title=White outfit, wrong occasion, Cherie|publisher=Telegraph Online}}</ref> Blair was speaking at a Vatican conference on children and youth. The Pontiff, hearing she was at the Vatican, requested she meet with him, only giving her a few minutes' notice and forcing her to rush in her day clothes to accommodate the Pope's request; her day clothes happened to be white.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2006/apr/28/politicalnews.uk|title=Cherie Blair gets surprise audience with Pope|agency=Press Association|date=28 April 2006|publisher=|access-date=1 October 2016|via=The Guardian}}</ref> Blair had previously worn black garments to meet with the Pontiff. By contrast, [[Mehriban Aliyeva]], the spouse of the President of [[Azerbaijan]] [[Ilham Aliyev]], seems to have given no reason for wearing white during a 2020 visit to the Vatican, even though she was neither royal nor Catholic.<Ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3195955.html|title = Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva meet with Pope Francis in Vatican (PHOTO)|date = 22 February 2020}}</ref>-->


==References==
==References==
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Latest revision as of 16:06, 13 December 2024

Queen Elena of Italy and Crown Princess Marie-José wearing white garments in the presence of Pope Pius XII at the Quirinal Palace on 27 December 1939.

Le privilège du blanc (pronounced [lə pʁivilɛʒ dy blɑ̃]; "the privilege of the white") is a custom of the Catholic Church that permits certain designated female royalty to wear white clothing (traditionally a white dress and white veil) during an audience with the pope.[1] It is an exception to the traditional requirement of women to wear black garments on such occasions, which has become optional since the 1980s.

History

[edit]

Traditionally, the protocol for papal audiences required women to wear a long black garment with long sleeves, and a black veil, the colour of which signified the virtues of piety and humility. The queens of Portugal, Italy, Belgium and Spain[2] were exempt from this rule, as were the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg and the princesses of the House of Savoy.

Those permitted to wear white garments include the Queens of Spain and Belgium, the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg and the Princess of Monaco.

The protocol for papal audiences formerly required that women wear a long black dress with a high collar and long sleeves, and a black mantilla.[3][4] Certain designated Catholic queens and princesses have nonetheless traditionally been exempted from wearing black garments.

The privilege is not used by the wives of all Catholic monarchs or by the Catholic wives of non-Catholic monarchs. Even though they are Catholics, it is not accorded to the Queen of Lesotho, the Princess of Liechtenstein, the Māori Queen, or the Queen of the Afro-Bolivians.[5] It is also not accorded to the wife of a President of France, even though the French President is ex-officio Co-Prince of Andorra. The privilege is also not accorded to Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, who is the Catholic wife of the Protestant King Willem-Alexander.[citation needed]

List of eligibility

[edit]

As of 2023, the following living royal women are eligible for the privilege:[citation needed]

  • Catholic Sovereign
 on the occasion of
Queen Sofía of Spain accession of husband to the Spanish throne (1975)
Queen Paola of Belgium accession of husband to the Belgian throne (1993)
The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg accession of husband to the Luxembourgish throne (2000)
The Princess of Monaco dispensation from Pope Benedict XVI to the House of Grimaldi (2013)
The Queen of the Belgians accession of husband to the Belgian throne (2013)
The Queen of Spain accession of husband to the Spanish throne (2014)
The Princess of Naples/Princess of Piedmont, widow of the head of the House of Savoy accession of husband to headship of the Italian house (1983)
The Princess of Venice, consort of the head of the House of Savoy accession of husband to headship of the Italian house (2024)

In recent years

[edit]
The Princess of Monaco meeting Pope Francis on an official state visit at the Vatican.

Marina, Princess of Naples, wife of the former Head of the House of Savoy, Vittorio Emanuele, Prince of Naples, used the privilege on 18 May 2003 during a Catholic Mass marking the birth anniversary of Pope John Paul II.[6]

For the first time in Monégasque history on 12 January 2013, Charlene, Princess of Monaco, used the privilege in an audience with Pope Benedict XVI. The Holy See Press Office later issued a press release declaring the following:

"…in accordance with prescribed ceremonial of the Vatican for Catholic sovereigns, the princess [of Monaco] was allowed to dress in white."[7]

Charlene availed the privilege again on 18 January 2016 when visiting Pope Francis as part of an official state visit to the Vatican with her husband, Albert II, Prince of Monaco.[8]

List of occasions used

[edit]

Among the occasions when the privilège du blanc has been exercised are the following:

Date Queen/Princess Pontiff Occasion
2024 September 27 Queen Mathilde of Belgium Francis State visit to Belgium
2023 September 15 Queen Mathilde of Belgium Francis Private audience
2018 October 14 Queen Sofía of Spain Francis Canonization of Pope Paul VI
2016 September 4 Queen Sofía of Spain Francis Canonization of Saint Teresa of Calcutta
2016 March 21 Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg Francis Private audience[9][verification needed]
2016 January 18 Charlene, Princess of Monaco Francis State visit to the Vatican
2015 March 9 Queen Mathilde of Belgium Francis Private audience
2014 June 30 Queen Letizia of Spain Francis State visit to the Vatican
2014 April 27
Francis Canonization of Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II
2013 March 19
Francis Inaugural Mass of Pope Francis
2013 January 12 Charlene, Princess of Monaco Benedict XVI Private audience
2011 May 1
Benedict XVI Beatification of Pope John Paul II
2009 October 10 Queen Paola of Belgium Benedict XVI Private audience
2006 May 8 Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg Benedict XVI Private audience
2005 April 24
Benedict XVI Inaugural Mass of Pope Benedict XVI
2004 October 3 Queen Fabiola of Belgium John Paul II Beatification of Charles I of Austria
2003 May 18 Marina, Dowager Princess of Naples John Paul II Birthday of Pope John Paul II
2003 March 23
John Paul II Private audience
1998 May 15 Queen Paola of Belgium John Paul II Private audience
1981 April 30 Queen Sofía of Spain John Paul II Private audience
1978 October 22
John Paul II Inaugural Mass of Pope John Paul II
1978 September 3
John Paul I Inaugural Mass of Pope John Paul I
1977 February 10 Queen Sofía of Spain Paul VI Private audience
1965 May 6 Josephine Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg Paul VI Private audience[citation needed]
1961 June 9 Fabiola, Queen of the Belgians John XXIII Private audience[10]
1939 December 28
Pius XII Papal visit to the Quirinal Palace[11][verification needed]
1939 January 23 Princess Maria Francesca of Savoy Pius XI Private audience after wedding
1935 March 4 Emanuela de Borbón y Dampierre, Duchess of Anjou and Segovia Pius XI Private audience after wedding
1930 January 8 Marie José, Princess of Piedmont Pius XI Private audience after wedding
1929 December 28 Princess Adelaide of Savoy Pius XI Private audience[12][verification needed]
1929 December 7
Pius XI Private audience[13][verification needed]
1929 December 5
Pius XI Private audience after signing of the Lateran Treaty[14][verification needed]
1923 November 19 Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain Pius XI Private audience[15][verification needed]


References

[edit]
  1. ^ James-Charles Noonan, Jr., The Church Visible: The Ceremonial Life and Protocol of the Roman Catholic Church (New York: Viking, 1996), 411.
  2. ^ "His Catholic Majesty".
  3. ^ George Seldes, The Vatican: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1934), 125.
  4. ^ Fabio Cassani Pironti, Ordini in ordine: manuale d'uso decorazioni per il corpo diplomatico accreditato presso la Santa Sede, il Sovrano militare Ordine di Malta ed i rispettivi dignitari (Roma: Laurus Robuffo, 2004), 42 and 87.
  5. ^ "Only 7 Women in the World Can Wear White to Officially Meet the Pope | Articles". 21 August 2017.
  6. ^ "Marina in San Pietro con tailleur bianco". Corriere della Sera. 19 May 2003. Archived from the original on 2014-01-02. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  7. ^ Ledbetter, Carly (2017-05-24). "Here's Why Melania Trump Wore Black To Meet The Pope". HuffPost. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
  8. ^ Barcelona, Ainhoa (2016-01-18). "Princess Charlene of Monaco is a vision in white as she meets the Pope". HELLO!. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
  9. ^ "Pope Francis receives Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg". news.va. Archived from the original on 5 July 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  10. ^ "Privilege for Fabiola", New York Times (June 10, 1961), 10.
  11. ^ "Speeches 1939 - PIUS XII". vatican.va. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  12. ^ "Italian Princes See Pope: Duke and Duchess of Genoa Among Seven of House of Savoy Present". The New York Times (published 1929-12-29). 29 December 1929. ISSN 0362-4331. OCLC 1645522. Retrieved 2016-06-08. Pope Pius received additional Princes of the ruling House of Savoy in audience today. They included the Duke and Duchess of Genoa, the Prince of Udine, the Duke of Pistoia, the Duke of Bergamo, Princess Maria Adelaide and the Duke of Ancona.
  13. ^ "Prince and Sisters Pay Visit to Pope", New York Times (December 8, 1929), 5.
  14. ^ "Italy's Sovereigns Make First Visit to Pope", New York Times (December 6, 1929), 1.
  15. ^ "Alfonso Received in Papal Splendor", New York Times (November 20, 1923), 7.
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