At a Glance
- Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg wore a white gown with lace for her first Vatican visit.
- The privilege, known as il privilegio del bianco, is granted only to Catholic queens and princesses.
- The meeting took place on January 23, 2026, after her husband became Grand Duke.
- Why it matters: The rare honor underscores the close ties between Luxembourg’s royal family and the Catholic Church.
The meeting between Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg and Pope Leo XIV marked a historic moment for the Luxembourg royal family. On January 23, 2026, the Grand Duchess and her husband, Grand Duke Guillaume, met the Pope in Vatican City, with Stephanie wearing a white gown for the first time during her Vatican visit.
The White Privilege
The tradition of il privilegio del bianco-the privilege of the white-has been reserved for a handful of royal women who are Catholic queens or princesses. Traditionally, all other dignitaries wear black when meeting the Pope. The privilege is a symbolic gesture of the closeness of the Catholic faith to the wearer.
- Grand Duchess Stephanie: First time she exercised the privilege.
- Other European royals granted the privilege include:
- Maria Teresa of Luxembourg (former Grand Duchess)
- Princess Charlene of Monaco
- Queen Mathilde of Belgium
- Queen Letizia of Spain
- Former Queen Sofia of Spain
- Former Queen Paola of Belgium
In May 2025, four of these royals-Maria Teresa, Charlene, Letizia, and Mathilde-attended the Pope’s inauguration mass wearing white.
A Royal Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 2025 | Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration mass; four royals wear white |
| October 2025 | Grand Duke Henri steps down; Guillaume becomes Grand Duke |
| January 23, 2026 | Grand Duchess Stephanie meets Pope Leo XIV in white |
The timeline shows how the privilege aligns with significant milestones in the Luxembourg monarchy.
The Family in White
During the Vatican audience, the couple’s children joined them. Prince Charles, 5, and Prince François, 2, matched their mother’s white ensembles. Their presence highlighted the continuity of tradition across generations.
British Royals and the Pope
Unlike the Luxembourg family, the British royal family is not permitted to wear white when meeting the Pope. When King Charles and Queen Camilla visited the Vatican in October 2025, Queen Camilla wore a black dress and veil. Nevertheless, their visit marked a historic moment: they attended a prayer service at the Sistine Chapel with Pope Leo, the first time a British monarch and the Pope had prayed together publicly in about 500 years.
The British monarch’s role as head of the Church of England stems from the 1534 schism initiated by King Henry VIII.
Significance
The Grand Duchess’s white gown symbolizes more than fashion; it represents the enduring bond between Luxembourg’s monarchy and the Catholic Church. The privilege is a rare honor that underscores the religious heritage of the royal family. Meanwhile, the British royal family’s participation in a shared prayer service signals a deepening interfaith relationship, even though they do not share the same sartorial privilege.
The event demonstrates how royal traditions and religious protocols intersect on the world stage, offering a glimpse into the ceremonial nuances that define European monarchies.
Key Takeaways
- Stephanie’s first white gown marked a historic moment for Luxembourg.
- Il privilegio del bianco is limited to Catholic queens and princesses.
- The Luxembourg family’s children embraced the tradition.
- British royals, while not wearing white, joined a historic prayer service with the Pope.
- The event highlights the evolving relationship between monarchy and faith.
