Queen Letizia makes use of her unique privilege in front of the new Pope

Queen Letizia has taken advantage of a privilege only a few consorts in the world have: wearing white in front of the Pope. Three weeks after attending Pope Francis' funeral this Sunday, both she and Felipe VI have traveled to Rome for the Inauguration of the new pontificate of Leo XIV in the Piazza Sant'Etienne in the Vatican. However, it was the Queen's attire that has become the center of attention, as only six women in the world have been allowed to wear the color white.

With an elegant and sober style, Letizia wore a white dress with an asymmetrical neckline and a matching lace mantilla. Both pieces are by the Spanish brand Redondo Brand, a haute couture label from Seville. Paired with a white Carolina Herrera bag and beige Magrit shoes, she caught the attention of the cameras in Sant Pere Square. For his part, the King chose a uniform of a captain general of the Army. Letizia was not the only one to take advantage of her license: Mathilde of Belgium, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, and Princess Charlene of Monaco also wore the color of purity.

According to Diana Rubio, an expert on the royal family and protocol, this symbolic gesture "has no direct geopolitical implications today," but makes sense as a sign of "religious difference, protocol distinction, and historical continuity between certain Catholic monarchies and the Holy See." Choosing white, a color that symbolizes purity and spiritual proximity, makes it stand out visually in an environment where black is the norm: "It reinforces the cultural and diplomatic bond between the Vatican and the Spanish monarchy."

The origin of privilege and its exclusivity

Wearing that color to an audience with Pope Francis is only permitted for certain consorts of Catholic monarchs, and etiquette suggests that other women dress in black. This privilege was a concession made in gratitude to the royal houses that remained faithful to the Catholic Church during the Protestant Reformation, which is why currently only Queen Emeritus Sofia of Greece, Queen Emeritus Paola, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Queen Mathilde of Monaco, and Queen Letizia of Spain are allowed to wear white. In fact, the only ones allowed to wear a comb are Spanish women.

Would it have been offensive if Letizia had worn black? According to Diana Rubio, under no circumstances: "Black is the protocol norm established by the Vatican for women at solemn events. Although Letizia has the privilege of wearing white, exercising it is optional, and many queens have opted for black on similar occasions without it being interpreted as a lack of deference." However, Rubio emphasizes that the queen's decision was a way to strengthen the bond between the Spanish monarchy and the Holy See and that, in fact, the royal family wore "impeccable" attire, because it maintained the sobriety and neutrality necessary for the event. However, Letizia maintained her personal touch with the shoes she wore. "The appropriate length of the suit or jacket, always buttoned, comply with the classic rules of etiquette and seek to communicate respect and solemnity, not stand out," Rubio points out.

Other Catholic monarchies do not have this concession (this is the case of Liechtenstein), nor do Anglican or Lutheran monarchies. However, the Vatican is no longer as strict about dress codes, and there have even been cases where people without that privilege have dressed in white for papal audiences. One example is Cherie Booth, Tony Blair's wife, who visited the Pope in 2006 dressed in this color.