The King and Queen have arrived at Vatican City to formally meet Pope Leo XIV as their state visit to the Holy See began in earnest.
Their escort in a state limousine through St Peter’s Square was flashy, but what really stole the show was Camilla’s choice in clothing.
Dressed head to toe in black, with a sheer black veil, the Queen looked stoic compared to her husband, who opted for a classy navy suit.
The reason is because of an old dress code, referred to as ‘il privilegio del blanco’, or ‘the privilege of the white’.
Only queens and princesses from Catholic countries can wear white when they visit the Pope – and considering Britain is a protestant country, Camilla had to wear black.
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Women must wear a veil, or mantilla, for the occasion, and Camilla opted for a lace one, reflecting a similar style the late Queen Elizabeth II wore when she visited the Vatican in 1961.
Waiting to greet the couple was Reverend Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza, Regent of the Prefecture of the Papal Household, and a guard of honour provided by the Vatican’s famous Swiss Guard.
Drawn from Swiss citizens who are Catholic, the guard has been protecting the head of the Catholic Church for centuries.
The royal couple stood as the national anthems of Britain and the Vatican City were played. They also met a group of Papal Gentlemen.
Camilla’s silk dress was by Fiona Clare, milliner Philip Treacy made the mantilla or veil, and she wore the late Queen’s ‘raspberry pip’ brooch in the shape of a cross.
The state visit to the Holy See, the government of the Roman Catholic Church in the Vatican, is understood to be deeply significant for the King personally, and he will celebrate the Papal Jubilee, held every 25 years.
Later, during an ecumenical service in the famous Sistine Chapel, the King, Supreme Governor of the Church of England, will become the first British monarch to pray at a public service with the Pope, head of the Catholic Church, since the Reformation.
After the ceremonial welcome, the King and Queen were led by Monsignor Sapienza into the Apostolic Palace to meet Pope Leo.
Prince Andrew’s recent stripping of titles has been overshadowing the visit, however.
The disgraced royal flew on paedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s private jet four times, documents released in the US show.
The published flight logs came just hours after Andrew announced he is relinquishing his remaining royal titles after a fresh wave of controversy over the Epstein scandal.
Andrew made the decision in close consultation with both King Charles and the Prince of Wales, with the monarch said to be ‘glad’ at the outcome.
The King has been facing the ongoing problem of what to do with his disgraced younger brother since the start of his reign, and heir to the throne, William, is always believed to have wanted to take a decisive line on the matter.
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