Charlene renounces her privilege in the Vatican

Charlene de Monaco is increasingly integrated into the Principality’s agenda. Despite having had a rough few months and not being in the limelight due to the infection she contracted during a trip to South Africa – which kept her isolated in the country for several months – it seems that Princess Charlene is now willing to make up for lost time. Evidence of this is the intense activity that has been sustained over the past few days. Not only has she accompanied Prince Albert to several engagements, but she has also served as a guide through the palace corridors. It was of course one of the big absentees at the last edition of the Rose Dance, in which Carolina de Monaco and her children monopolized all the attention.

Princess Charlene of Monaco did not hesitate to accompany her husband to an important visit to the Vatican, on his second international broadcast since returning home. This morning Alberto and Charlene were received in the Holy See by members of the Curia and the Swiss Guard before meeting Pope Francis.

Although Prince Albert of Monaco’s wife has the option to wear white, she has opted for black. While dress codes and protocols for audiences with the Pope and visits to the Vatican have relaxed over time, the truth is that the queen consort of Catholic countries are the only ones who have the ability to wear white.

It is what is known as white privilege, which, as the term implies, is a ‘privilege’, an option, not something that is mandatory. Usually these are queens like Doña Sofía and Doña Letizia, Queen Matilde of the Belgians and her mother-in-law, Queen Paola and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg. In the case of Spain, the queens are additionally allowed to wear a comb. Other Catholic monarchies (such as those of Liechtenstein or Lesotho) do not have this privilege, nor do the Anglican or Lutheran monarchies (UK, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden or Denmark). Notable is the case of Máxima de Holanda who, although she did not renounce Catholicism when she married, also does not have the ‘white privilege’.

Even though Princess Charlene may be wearing white, the fact that he has worn black is probably due to a matter of respect for the traditions of the Principality. Grace Kelly is known to wear white once and this was not liked in Monaco as traditionally the women of the dynasty had opted for black. For this reason, the North American – who was also a Catholic – did not resort to this tone again on visits to the Pope, in order to avoid further criticism. Charlene from Monaco has worn a design by the South African Terrence Brayof a clear nod to the country where he spent so much time all his life and to whom she is very attached. a carved model measuring unit and style Ladywith a light skirt dodged and sleeves from tulle. He paired it with high-heeled shoes—not recommended for the act—and a mantilla on the head, as protocol dictates. Anyway, one of the most striking details was that she had dark colored nails. An issue that causes controversy, as it is unusual for royal family paint your nails in bright colors, instead of resorting to a discreet manicure.

Although recent times have been a bit complicated for the former swimmer, every time he gets involved in new commitments which, next to strengthen its role within the structure of the Principality, plans to put behind speculation about a possible crisis between the pair. Rumors that have always haunted the marriage and that Princes Albert and Charlene have not been able to leave behind to this day, after more than a decade together. Time will tell.