Princess Charlene wears rare all-white 'privilège du blanc' as Monaco royals meet Pope Leo XIV in Metz

From the Newshound archive · first published 29 September 2026.

Princess Charlene of Monaco attracted attention in a white trouser suit with a statement collar and gold-accented handbag at a European peace conference in Metz on Monday, invoking the centuries-old 'privilège du blanc' — a right held by fewer than ten women worldwide. She and Prince Albert II joined President Emmanuel Macron among European dignitaries for the final day of Pope Leo XIV's apostolic visit to France. The meeting at the Robert Schuman Congress Centre focused on the roots of European unity and peace, with the Pope urging Europeans to "have the courage to negotiate" amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Reserved for a small number of Catholic queens and princesses, the tradition confers the exclusive right to appear in white before the Pope, a privilege denied to all other women, who must wear black.

Pope Leo XIV condemned what he called an "unnecessary massacre" in Europe and called on leaders to set aside entrenched positions in the interests of peace.

It was not Charlene's first use of the privilege — she wore white for Leo XIV's inaugural visit to Monaco in March, joined by her 11-year-old daughter Gabriella.