Princess Charlene of Monaco wore white in a rare display of the Vatican’s ‘privilège du blanc’ as she and Prince Albert II were welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron at a significant event in France.
The French presidential couple warmly greeted Monaco’s royal pair on their arrival at the conference, ‘At the Roots of Europe for Peace and Unity’, held in Metz 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 potential ‘new stage’ in the story of ‘contemporary Europe’.
After receiving a standing ovation, Pope Leo urged younger Europeans not to surrender to ‘the mentality of violence and oppression’. He also encouraged them to ‘not be afraid to work tirelessly for the good of your communities, including through political engagement’.
The meeting took place in Metz, the birthplace of Robert Schuman, regarded as one of the founding figures of the European Union. Princess Charlene, 48, and Prince Albert, 68, joined President Macron in an effort to deepen cooperation and solidarity across Europe.
Every European Union head of state, along with the leaders of European institutions, was invited to the conference. President Macron, 48, is also due to attend Mass with Pope Leo in Metz later in the day.
Charlene made a polished entrance in a bold white suit, styling it with a statement collar and a coordinating handbag finished with gold detailing.
The royal mother of two’s monochrome look reflected the ‘privilège du blanc’, a historic exception allowing select queens and princesses from Catholic countries to wear white when meeting the Pope.
Emmanuel Macron (L) and his wife Brigitte (R) welcomed Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco to the historic meeting in Metz, France
The French president and First Lady warmly greeted the Monaco royals as they arrived for ‘At the Roots of Europe for Peace and Unity’ in the north-eastern city near the German border
Princess Charlene observed the ‘privilège du blanc’ in a striking white suit, completing the outfit with a statement collar and a matching gold-detailed handbag
Charlene is among fewer than 10 women worldwide who are allowed to wear white in the presence of the Pope.
Known as le privilège du blanc in French and il privilegio del bianco in Italian, the centuries-old custom is reserved for designated Catholic queens and princesses. It may be observed at major occasions including private papal audiences, canonisations, beatifications and special Masses.
Under standard protocol for an audience with the Pope, women are expected to wear a long black dress with a high neckline and full-length sleeves, often accompanied by a black mantilla.
Following that tradition, Brigitte Macron, 73, appeared in an elegant black dress accented by a gold brooch. She smiled as she welcomed the Monaco couple to the landmark gathering.
In his speech, Pope Leo called on Europe to reconnect with its Christian heritage as it confronts the ‘desire for domination’ behind modern conflicts. He also appealed for leaders to be prepared to ‘give up some positions for the greater good of peace’.
The pontiff further urged European nations to stand together in confronting ‘lies and deceit’.
The conference followed a major public Mass in Paris on September 26, where more than 600,000 Catholics registered to attend. The service, held at the city’s famous Place de la Concorde, was expected to be the largest event of Pope Leo’s French visit.
Crowds began gathering along the Champs-Élysées before dawn in the hope of securing a clear view of the Pope, who travelled down the boulevard in an open-top popemobile.
Princess Charlene and Prince Albert joined President Macron in Metz, Robert Schuman’s hometown and the birthplace of one of the European Union’s founding figures, for the gathering aimed at strengthening unity among European nations
All EU heads of state and the heads of European institutions were invited to attend the conference, while the French president is also set to join Pope Leo for Mass in the city of Metz later today
Pope Leo XIV delivered an address at the high-profile conference on the final day of his four-day French visit, where he spoke of a ‘new stage’ in the history of ‘contemporary Europe’
Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene arrive at the event held on the last day of the Pope’s visit to France
Charlene and Albert’s meeting with Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron comes after the Monaco royals welcomed the French president and his wife for the first state dinner with a French leader in more than 40 years last June.
Meanwhile, in March, Princess Charlene and her lookalike daughter, Gabriella, exercised their ‘privilège du blanc’ during Pope Leo XIV’s historic visit to Monaco.
The royal mother-daughter duo were joined by Prince Albert alongside young Prince Jacques for the occasion, which saw Pope Leo make his first visit to the European country since his election in May.
For the outing, Charlene also donned a small brooch with the flags of Monaco and the Vatican, alongside a midi dress that contained lace detailing and a short veil, which she placed over her head in line with the necessary protocol.
While her mother opted for white heels, 11-year-old Gabriella wore white ballet flats, alongside a long coat and the same brooch as her mother.
Arriving by helicopter from Rome, the Pope was greeted by Prince Albert and Princess Charlene at Monte Carlo’s heliport under radiant sunshine.
Just after he arrived at the tiny principality on the French Riviera, Leo condemned what he termed the widening ‘chasms between the poor and the rich’.
In an address in French from the balcony of the Prince’s Palace, the American Pope denounced ‘unjust configurations of power, structures of sin that dig chasms between poor and rich, between the privileged and the rejected, between friends and enemy’.
He added wealth should serve ‘law and justice, especially at a historical moment when displays of force and the logic of omnipotence wound the world and jeopardise peace’, in a clear reference to the growing number of conflicts across the globe.
Some have dubbed Leo the ‘Quiet Pope’ due to his low-key pastoral approach, often prioritising unity, listening and traditional diplomacy.
The pontiff was pictured with Prince Albert at the royal palace, with one image showing a portrait of the ruler’s mother, movie star Grace Kelly.
Bells pealed across the principality to mark Leo’s arrival in the micro-state nestled on the Mediterranean between France and Italy.
Locals gathered outside the palace, many brandishing flags in the red and white of Monaco and the yellow and white of the Vatican.
