Princess Grace’s granddaughter, Princess Gabriella of Monaco, has been given a privilege that her famous grandmother never received.
As she met Pope Leo XIV in Monaco, the young princess and her mother, Princess Charlene, exercised an old and little known royal tradition known as ‘privilege du blanc’.
It is the special honour given to some royal women to wear white in the presence of the Pope, rather than the black outfits that are usually used. The privilège du blanc is symbolic of the purity and innocence of Catholic rulers, considered a gift from the Vatican to Catholic rulers who have remained faithful throughout the centuries.
Privilege du blanc can only be used by a queen or princess belonging to a Catholic royal family. Monaco has Catholicism as its State religion. However, despite that, the privilege du blanc for princesses of the country is a new tradition. When Princess Charlene wore white to meet Pope Benedict XVI in 2013, the Vatican issued a statement clarifying that she was permitted to do so.
(Sarah Steck / Palais princier)
However, Princess Grace, her predecessor, had not been accorded the privilege on her meeting with Pope Pius XII, Pope John XXIII, and Pope John Paul II. Instead, Grace had worn black.
As she welcomed Pope Leo XIV to Monaco, following his arrival by helicopter, Princess Charlene was dressed in white. And as she and Prince Albert were joined by their twins, it was soon evident that privilege du blanc had been extended to her daughter.
Princess Gabriella, 11, was dressed in a smart white coat for the meeting with the Pontiff. When it was first introduced, privilege du blanc was for the regnant and consort queens of Catholic monarchies and the daughters of a sovereign. Gabriella fits the last category.
Other royal women in Europe permitted to wear white in the presence of the Pope are Queen Sofía and Queen Letizia of Spain; Queen Mathilde and Queen Paola of Belgium; Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg, Maria Teresa of Luxembourg and Princess Marina of Savoy.
Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, although a practicing Catholic, is married into a family of Protestant royals and has raised her daughters in that religion. She is therefore not accorded the privilège du blanc.
However, no other Monaco royal women for the meeting. Princess Caroline of Hanover and Princess Stephanie were both in black, as were their daughters and daughters in law. All attended a meeting at the Prince’s Palace in Monte Carlo to welcome Pope Leo to Monaco.
The visit was seen as an important moment for Monaco. It’s the first official visit by a Pope to the tiny principality and has been widely celebrated in the country. Ahead of the visit, Monaco’s royals even traced the family tree of Pope Leo and discovered he had ancestors from the country.
The papal visit began in bright sunshine with Pope Leo flying into the heliport where Prince Albert and Prince Charlene were waiting to meet him. They then all travelled to the Prince’s Palace for an official welcome which included the anthems of both Monaco and the Vatican City as well as a review of a guard of honour.
It was here that Princess Gabriella and her twin, Prince Jacques, joined the party. The 11 year olds looked confident as they greeted Pope Leo with Gabriella offering a small curtsey – it is another tradition that royal women curtsey to the Pope.
(Palais Princier Instagram still/ fair use)
After an exchange of gifts, the Pope and the Prince of Monaco appeared on the balcony of the Prince’s Palace where both gave speeches. Pope Leo XIV spoke of the faith of the Principality of Monaco and asked its residents to play ”an active role” in justice and community as well as in the protection of the environment. Prince Albert said that the Apostolic Visit of Pope Leo was a truly historic moment for Monaco.
They were then joined by Princess Charlene, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella for a balcony appearance with a large crowd gathering to greet them all.
The Pope’s visit has taken over Monaco and the ships in its port offered him a rare honour, sounding their horns to salute his arrival. He was also given a loud welcome when he arrived at the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception to meet more of the Catholic community.
Pope Leo then went on a ride in his Popemobile through the streets of Monaco to meet as many people as possible before leaving the vehicle for a walkabout. He then visited the Church of St. Devota, the patron of Monaco and of its royal family.
Over 15,000 people then attended a Papal Mass at the Louis II stadium.
Princess Charlene accompanied Prince Albert to the heliport to bid their guest farewell. The Pope’s visit, a first to a European nation since his inauguration last May, was seen as a huge success.
