King Charles and Queen Camilla have made history. The monarchs completed a state visit to Vatican City, marking the first time that a British King prays in public alongside the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV. Another striking detail was the Queen's attire, which was all black, reminding the world of the custom where only Catholic queens are allowed to wear white in front of the Pope.
The royal couple enjoyed a tour through various locations in the Vatican, like all state visits before them, including a visit to the Vatican Apostolic Library, historically known as the Pope's library.
Charles and Camilla walked through St. Peter's Square and were received by monsignor Leonardo Sapienza in the Apostolic Palace. More details about the Queen's dress reveal that it was made by the designer Fiona Clare, a British couture designer. She paired it with a striking veil in the shape of a crown with black roses that belonged to Queen Elizabeth II.
As tradition dictates, Pope Leo XIV awaited the royal couple inside the palace. Before their meeting, the Pontifical Swiss Guard welcomed the monarchs, who were then received by an interpretation of the British anthem and the anthem of Vatican City.
As expected, the King and the Pope exchanged gifts. The King handed a large, plated image of Saint Edward the Confessor. For his part, Pope Leo XIV gave the royal couple a life-size image of the Christ Pantocrator mosaic, originally located in a church in Sicily. The replica was made in the Vatican.
A rift that started 500 years ago
Through their meeting, the King also met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State, who attended the King's coronation in 2023, a moment that represented the improved relationship between the two religions.
Five centuries ago, the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion split up after Pope Clement VII refused to annul King Henry VIII's marriage to Catherine of Aragon. The refusal played a key part in boosting the rise of Protestantism in England, a branch of Catholicism that doesn't recognize the Pope as the head of the Catholic Church.