Queen Letizia marks rare royal 'privilege' in white during historic meeting with the Pope

Queen Letizia of Spain exercised a rare privilege on Friday as she joined her husband, King Felipe, for a private audience with the Pope. 

The Spanish Royal couple arrived at the San Damaso courtyard in the Vatican, before being granted a 50-minute meeting with Pope Leo XIV in his private library at the Apostolic Palace.

Letizia, 53, wowed in an all-white ensemble consisting of a white tweed midi dress, invoking a rare privilege called "privilège du blanc" ("the privilege of the white"). 

As the Queen of a catholic country, Letizia is allowed to wear white to meet the Pope. Usually, the look is accompanied by a white veil, though it's believed she opted to go without one on Friday due to the private nature of the visit. As they greeted the Pope, King Felipe was heard saying: "We are very happy to see you, to visit you."

The couple previously met the Pope at his inaugural mass last May, and the Pontiff is expected to undertake an Apostolic Visit to Spain in June. 

After Pope Leo's election last year, Letizia and Felipe wrote: "We congratulate Cardinal Prévost on his election as the new pontiff, Pope Leo XIV. His call for peace inspires us, encourages us, and reflects the deep wishes and feelings of the Spanish people."

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Queen Letizia and King Felipe have met with Pope Leo for a historic visit. 

During the meeting in the Pontiff's private library, they posed for pictures and exchanged gifts.

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Letizia looked elegant in an all-white ensemble, adding stylish earrings that she once wore to the christening of her eldest daughter, Princess Leonor. 

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Later, the couple was seen paying their respects at the tomb of Pope Francis after an investiture ceremony at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where King Felipe received the honorary title of protodeacon of the Basilica, which has traditionally been held by the King of Spain since the Middle Ages.

The monarchs then met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.

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Previously, Letizia and Felipe held an audience with Pope Francis in 2014, shortly after becoming king and queen.

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The queen has twice exercised the privilege du blanc before: in May 2025 for the Pope's inauguration mass and during the 2014 meeting. 

These days, it cannot be used at funerals, meaning she wore black for Pope Francis's funeral in April 2025.

Why was Letizia allowed to wear white?

Letizia is one of the few royal women allowed to wear white to meet the Pope, as she is Queen of a Catholic country. Other women granted the honour include Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Princess Charlene of Monaco, Princess Marina of Naples, and Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg. 

Two former queens, Queen Paolo of Belgium and Queen Sofia of Spain, are also allowed to wear white. Usually, the look is also accompanied by a lace mantilla. 

Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain was said to have been the first royal woman to exercise this right during a private audience with Pope Pius XI in November 1923. The strict dress code means most royal women wear black to meet the Pope, so being seen in white is very rare.