Princess Charlene of Monaco wore an all-white Dior suit on Monday during an official visit to Metz, France, exercising a rare Vatican protocol rule during an audience with Pope Leo XIV.
The Princess accompanied her husband, Prince Albert II of Monaco, to events held in the French city for the international gathering titled "At the roots of Europe for Peace and Unity."
The summit brought together European leaders and royal representatives, with Pope Leo XIV presiding over the peace proceedings.
Choosing a contemporary interpretation of royal etiquette, Princess Charlene arrived in a structured white Dior blazer featuring a closed neck and detailed beadwork, paired with matching straight trousers.
She accessorised the monochromatic outfit with a small white Lady Dior handbag, maintaining a unified color scheme throughout her appearance.
The Lady Dior handbag is one of the most recognizable designs from the French luxury fashion house, originally created in Paris and celebrated for its architectural shape and classic craftsmanship.
Vatican protocol and privilège du blanc
The choice of dress relied on a long-standing tradition in Holy See etiquette known as the privilege of white, or privilège du blanc.
Under standard Vatican protocol, women attending papal audiences or meeting the Pope are expected to wear formal black clothing with long sleeves and a black lace veil, known as a mantilla.
The privilege of white acts as an exception to this rule, granting permission to specific Catholic queens and princesses to wear white garments and white veils in the presence of the Pontiff.
The dispensation is currently restricted to royal family members from the Catholic monarchies of Monaco, Spain, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
Monaco has long maintained formal diplomatic relations and Catholic ties with the Vatican, preserving this ceremonial privilege for its sovereign house.
Princess Charlene used the historic protocol as the foundation for one of her most noted fashion choices of recent weeks, combining formal tradition with modern luxury tailoring.
European royals and leaders gather in Metz
The peace gathering in Metz attracted high-profile figures from across Europe alongside the head of the Catholic Church.
French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron attended the international summit alongside sovereign leaders and diplomatic delegations.
Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg also exercised the privilege of white during the same event in Metz, presenting a different styling approach to the historic dress code.
Metz, situated in northeastern France near the German and Luxembourg borders, provided the backdrop for discussions centered on European unity and peace.
The event concluded following diplomatic exchanges focused on unity and peace efforts across the European continent.
