Queen Camilla follows tradition and wears black to meet Pope Leo

Queen Camilla followed a long established tradition when she wore black to meet Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.

The Queen wore a black coat dress that fell well below the knee and had long sleeves. She also chose a black veil with a striking black headband style hat to hold it in place.

Her Majesty was following a protocol that stretches back centuries. Women traditionally wear black in the presence of the Pope to show humility. It was also a way to ensure no one overshadowed the Pope in meetings. The tradition developed in a time when women were seen as lower ranking than men and Popes rarely met female representatives.

It continued into the 20th century although Pope Francis changed things slightly.

In 2014 when Queen Elizabeth II paid her first visit to Pope Francis following his election, she chose to wear a very pale mauve coat and hat. Pope Francis was understood to be less keen on the formal traditions that the Papacy had adhered to until that moment. However, the reign of Leo XIV has seen a return to some of those protocols that had seemed to disappear.

However, Queen Camilla’s appearance in black shows her desire to follow a very old tradition. She did add a little sparkle in the form of a ruby and gold brooch which is believed to have belonged to the maternal grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II and which is shaped like a cross.

Some queens are allowed to follow another, slightly more modern, protocol. Women of Catholic monarchies, including Belgium and Spain, are allowed to wear white in the presence of the Pope. That tradition is known as ‘privilege du blanc’.

Queen Camilla was very respectful on meeting the Pope, taking his hand and addressing him as ‘Your Holiness’. Leo XIV replied it was a pleasure to meet her.

King Charles also chose sombre colours, wearing a navy blue suit and dark tie for the historic meeting at the Vatican. It’s the first time a reigning British monarch has met a Pope in the Vatican for over a century.

After the meeting, Pope Leo along with King Charles and Queen Camilla took part in an ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel.

The prayed alongside each other, the first time that has happened to a British Monarch and a Pope since Henry VIII broke away from Rome in the 16th century.

The State Visit will continue with King Charles heading to the Papal Basilica of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls.