Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde were received at the Vatican on Monday for their first private audience with Pope Leo XIV. The Vatican published photos of the meeting later that day.
Notably, Queen Mathilde wore a white outfit to meet the Pope. This so-called “privilège du blanc” is reserved for only a select number of Catholic queens and princesses. Most female guests are only permitted to wear black.
This was the first time that the Belgian King and Queen privately met Pope Leo XIV. The North American-born Robert Francist Prevost was elected pope last May, succeeding the late Pope Francis. The royal pair did attend his inauguration, as well as Pope Francis’ funeral.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde were not the only royals to see Pope Leo XIV recently. Last week, the Pope met Britain’s King Charles III, the head of the Anglican Church. Charles became the first British monarch to publicly pray with a pope since the separation of the UK and the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th century.
PHOTOS © Handout / VATICAN MEDIA / AFP
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