Princess Charlene of Monaco invoked her rare “privilège du blanc” as she and Prince Albert II were warmly welcomed by Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron in France. The French president and First Lady greeted the Monaco royals on their arrival at the “At the Roots of Europe for Peace and Unity” conference, held near the German border. Pope Leo XIV addressed the gathering on the final day of his four-day visit to France, describing the moment as a “new stage” in the story of “contemporary Europe”. Applauded with a standing ovation, the pontiff urged younger Europeans not to “give in to the mentality of violence and oppression” and encouraged them to work tirelessly for their communities, including through political engagement. The meeting took place in Metz, the hometown of Robert Schuman, one of the European Union’s founding figures, with Charlene and Albert joining European leaders in a show of support for stronger continental ties. The heads of every European Union member state and European institutions were invited to attend.
Charlene embraces the privilege of white
Emmanuel Macron is also due to join Pope Leo for Mass in Metz later today. For the high-profile occasion, Princess Charlene chose a sophisticated white suit, styling it with a dramatic collar and a coordinating handbag finished with gold details. Her all-white look reflected the “privilège du blanc”, a historic exception allowing certain queens and princesses from Catholic countries to wear white when meeting the Pope. Charlene is one of only seven women worldwide granted the rare privilege.
Brigitte follows papal black-dress protocol
Known as le privilège du blanc in French and il privilegio del bianco in Italian, the tradition is reserved for designated Catholic queens and princesses during significant occasions, including private papal audiences, canonisations, beatifications and special Masses. Under standard Vatican protocol, women attending a papal audience are expected to wear a long black dress with a high neckline and sleeves, together with a black mantilla. Brigitte Macron followed the customary dress code in a striking black gown, accessorised with a gold brooch, as she smiled while welcoming the Monaco royal couple.
Pope Leo urges Europe to unite
In his speech, Pope Leo called on Europe to reconnect with its Christian heritage to counter the “desire for domination” behind many of today’s wars. He also urged nations to be prepared to “give up some positions for the greater good of peace” and appealed for European unity in confronting “lies and deceit”. His remarks came after more than 600,000 Catholics registered to attend an afternoon Mass at Paris’s Place de la Concorde on September 26, expected to be the largest event of his visit to France. Crowds began gathering on the Champs-Élysées before dawn in hopes of securing a clear view of the Pope, who travelled along the avenue in an open-top popemobile.
Monaco royals host historic French visit
The meeting between the Monaco royals and the Macrons followed a state dinner hosted by Prince Albert and Princess Charlene last June—the first such dinner for a French leader in more than four decades. Earlier, in March, Charlene and her daughter Gabriella also exercised their “privilège du blanc” during Pope Leo XIV’s historic visit to Monaco. They were joined by Prince Albert and young Prince Jacques as the pontiff made his first visit to the European principality since his election in May.
Charlene and Gabriella wear papal white
Charlene and Gabriella both wore white in accordance with the “privilege of the white”, the exceptional protocol allowing selected Catholic queens and princesses to dress in the colour when meeting the Pope. Charlene, 48, complemented her lace-trimmed midi dress and short veil with a small brooch bearing the flags of Monaco and the Vatican. She wore the veil over her head in keeping with the occasion’s requirements. Her daughter chose white ballet flats, a long coat and a matching brooch, while Charlene completed her look with white heels. The pair welcomed Pope Leo alongside Prince Albert and Prince Jacques after the pontiff arrived by helicopter from Rome at Monte Carlo’s heliport beneath clear, sunny skies.
Leo condemns widening wealth chasms
Soon after reaching the small principality on the French Riviera, Pope Leo spoke out against what he called the widening “chasms between the poor and the rich”. Delivering his address in French from the balcony of the Prince’s Palace, the American pontiff criticised “unjust configurations of power” and “structures of sin” that separate the poor from the wealthy, the privileged from those rejected, and friends from enemies. He said wealth must serve “law and justice”, particularly at a time when displays of force and the pursuit of unlimited power are damaging the world and putting peace at risk—a clear reference to the growing number of conflicts worldwide.
Bells ring for Leo in Monaco
Some observers have nicknamed Leo the “Quiet Pope” because of his understated pastoral style, which places emphasis on unity, listening and traditional diplomacy. During the visit, he was photographed with Prince Albert inside the royal palace, where one image also showed a portrait of the Prince’s mother, Hollywood star Grace Kelly. Bells rang throughout the principality to mark the Pope’s arrival in the Mediterranean microstate between France and Italy, while residents gathered outside the palace carrying Monaco’s red-and-white flags and the Vatican’s yellow-and-white banners.
