This past Easter Monday, April 21, the world mourned the death of Pope Francis at age 88. A historic Pontiff has passed, and he’ll be remembered in a funeral set for tomorrow, Saturday, at 10:00 AM at the Vatican. There, in the grand St. Peter’s Basilica, faithful followers from around the world, global leaders, and royal families will gather. Among the royals attending will be Mary of Denmark, Mathilde of Belgium, Mette-Marit of Norway, and Queen Letizia. Their understanding of Vatican dress protocol is unambiguous.
How will the royals dress at the funeral?
Vatican protocol for this farewell ceremony—honoring a Pontiff who broke the mold within the Church—is precise down to the last detail. Attendees must wear black or dark colors. A long or knee-length dress with long sleeves is recommended, and adornments should be avoided as a sign of deep respect. This recommendation applies to jewelry too—nothing flashy or ostentatious. That’s why pearls are a smart and respectful choice, as Queen Sofía demonstrated at the funeral of Pope John Paul II on April 8, 2005.
That day, the mother of the current King Felipe VI was also seen wearing a traditional peineta and mantilla, two accessories Queen Letizia could also choose to wear this Saturday. However, even though she has worn them before, like during her visit with Pope John Paul II after her wedding on June 28, 2004, there are other options that better suit her style. She might skip the peineta altogether and go with a simple veil or a discreet headpiece instead.
Another detail to keep in mind is the choice of footwear. In this case, it's an easy call for Queen Letizia, as discretion is key—a low heel is preferred, which happens to be her go-to style ever since she began experiencing foot issues. The shoes should also be minimalist and closed. In other words, sandals would be completely out of the question.
What is the 'Privilege of White'?
It’s true that Queen Letizia wore white at the Vatican on June 30, 2014, during a visit with Pope Francis—but that won’t be the case this time. The reason is simple: the Privilege of White (Privilège du blanc) does not apply to funerals.
This special Vatican protocol exception is reserved for Catholic royalty and is granted to only six women: Queen Letizia, Queen Sofía, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, Charlene of Monaco, and Paola and Mathilde of Belgium. It allows them to wear white—the color of the Pope’s cassock—during audiences and less solemn encounters with the Pontiff.
The privilege is a symbolic gesture, representing purity, innocence, and peace. It’s a mark of honor for royal houses that have maintained strong ties to the Catholic Church.