Privilège du blanc
Privilège du blanc ( French for “the prerogative of the white man ”) is the name of a tradition that allows queens and princesses of Catholic royalty to wear a white dress and a white veil at a papal private audience or Holy Mass , which is celebrated for the inauguration of a Pope or to wear a white mantilla .
history
The protocol for papal audiences traditionally required women to wear a black dress with long sleeves and a long skirt and a black veil. The queens of Italy, Belgium and Spain were excluded from this regulation, as were the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg and the princesses of the House of Savoy, who had been bestowed the title of Catholic Majesty . However, the privilege du blanc does not extend to the wives of non-Catholic rulers, even if they are Catholic themselves, or queens who are non-Catholic. For example, Queen Elizabeth II wore her audiences with John XXIII. and John Paul II a black dress and a black veil, since she does not have the Privilège du blanc .
These Catholic women are currently entitled to the Privilège du blanc
- Queen Sophia of Spain , wife of King Juan Carlos I.
- Queen Letizia of Spain , wife of King Felipe VI.
- Queen Paola of Belgium , wife of King Albert II.
- Queen Mathilde of Belgium , wife of King Philippe
- Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg , wife of Grand Duke Henri
- Marina, Princess of Naples , wife of Victor Emmanuel of Savoy
- Princess Charlène of Monaco , wife of Prince Albert II.
