In the coming hours, Monaco's Royal House will announce the meeting that Princess Charlene will have with the newly appointed Pope Leo XIV. Although the day has not yet been confirmed, experts state that the visit of the princess and Albert of Monaco will take place very soon. In this regard, it is understood that the Royal House has already begun preparations for Princess Charlene to make a trip to the Vatican.
This meeting responds to Sovereign Prince Albert's desire to show his respects to Pope Leo XIV and strengthen ties with the Holy See. One of the most notable features of this future audience will be the use of the "privilege of the white" that Princess Charlene holds due to her rank. A privilege granted to her by Pope Benedict XVI and kept during Pope Francis's pontificate.
All set for the meeting between Princess Charlene and Pope Leo XIV
Yesterday, Thursday, May 8, the Catholic Church experienced one of its great days with the election of Pope Leo XIV. After a shorter conclave than desired and two black smokes, the American Cardinal, Robert Prevost, was finally elected Supreme Pontiff. All the Royal Houses have conveyed their congratulations, including Monaco's with Princess Consort Charlene as the main spokesperson.
Everything is ready for the announcement of the visit of the princess and Albert of Monaco to the Vatican in a few hours. Charlene, as the spiritual ambassador of the Principality to the new figure of the Catholic Church, will be among the first to meet Pope Leo XIV. According to experts, this visit will take place soon to convey her respects to the new pontiff.
For Princess Charlene, it will be a very emotional moment after the pain she felt over Pope Francis's death. Albert of Monaco's wife has firm religious convictions that she herself confessed a few years ago.
"According to Grimaldi tradition, Catholicism is the state religion, but for me, it represents much more," she stated. During her role as Princess Consort of Monaco, Charlene has had the opportunity to meet Pope Benedict and Pope Francis. Now it will be her turn to meet Leo XIV, before whom she is expected to use her "privilege of the white."
Princess Charlene, among the few who will wear white before Pope Leo XIV
It was the year 2013 when the Principality of Monaco requested from the Vatican the possibility of wearing white in audiences with the Pope. As a general rule and according to protocol, any woman holding a representative position must wear black before the Supreme Pontiff.
However, there is a small number of queens and princesses who have received the well-known "privilege of the white." Therefore, they can wear this color in their private or public meetings with the pontiff. Among them is Queen Letizia and also Princess Charlene, who was granted this right by Benedict XVI.
In Albert's wife's visits to Popes Benedict and Francis, the princess used her privilege and wore an impeccable white. Therefore, she is expected to do the same with Pope Leo XIV when she meets him very soon.
His appointment has caused expectation in Europe, especially in Catholic nations like Monaco, where religion plays a historical and deeply institutional role. For this reason, the Grimaldi House considers it essential that its most prominent female representative personally goes to the Vatican as a gesture of diplomatic and spiritual deference.