In their first formal encounter with Pope Leo since his election, King Charles and Queen Camilla are currently in Rome.
King Charles will be the first British king to pray with a pope since Henry VIII’s split from Rome and the English Reformation some 500 years ago, making their meeting a historic one.
Following what could be called a “complicated” 500-year history that has included religious genocide, wars, and even one king being overthrown by Parliament in part due to concerns about a Catholic dynasty of monarchs, the event represents the culmination of years of bridge-building between the UK and the Vatican.
“Le privilège du blanc” (literally, “the privilege of white”) is the French term for permission to wear white, and “il privilegio del bianco” is the Italian term.
Pincess Marina of Naples, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, Queen Letizia of Spain, Princess Charlene of Monaco, and Queen Mathilde of Belgium are the seven women who are entitled to this.
Queen Sofia of Spain and Queen Paola of Belgium are two more queens who still enjoy the privilege even though their husbands are no longer in power.
‘il privilegio del bianco’ is a privilege enjoyed by Catholic royal women.
Camilla does not have that right because the King and Queen are not Catholic due to the lengthy relationship between Britain and the Vatican.
Charles, who is obviously also the head of a church himself, as the British monarch is the head of the Church of England, will pray with Pope Leo during the visit.
Even though Charles and Camilla also paid a visit to Pope Francis, their trip marks a significant turning point in the relationship between the Vatican and Britain.
Along with their royal visit, they will commemorate the papal jubilee, which happens once every 25 years.
