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Queen Letizia Honors Papal Tradition in White at Pope Leo XIV’s Inaugural Mass

18/5/2025

13 Comments

 
On Sunday, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain attended the inaugural Mass marking the commencement of Pope Leo XIV's papacy in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City. 
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain attended the inaugural Mass marking the commencement of Pope Leo XIV's papacy in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City on 18 May 2025.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey
Upon their arrival at St. Peter’s Basilica, Their Majesties were received by the Holy See’s Chief of Protocol, Javier Domingo Fernández. They made their way through the basilica and exited through the central doors into St. Peter’s Square, where they took their designated seats to the left of the altar in the section reserved for Spain.​
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain attended the inaugural Mass marking the commencement of Pope Leo XIV's papacy in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City on 18 May 2025.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey
Following the ceremony, they engaged in a private audience with the Pope inside St. Peter's Basilica. 
During their visit, the Spanish monarchs also met with international dignitaries, including President Dina Boluarte of Peru and President Sergio Mattarella of Italy. Additionally, they convened with the Spanish delegation at the residence of Spain's ambassador to the Holy See.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain attended the inaugural Mass marking the commencement of Pope Leo XIV's papacy in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City on 18 May 2025.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey
At the inaugural Mass for Pope Leo XIV's pontificate in St. Peter's Square, Queen Letizia made a symbolic impression in a sophisticated white ensemble, embodying the rare privilège du blanc—a tradition that permits select Catholic queens to wear white in the Pope’s presence, rather than the customary black attire required for women at formal Vatican events. This honor, rooted in centuries-old protocol, underscores Spain’s deep historical ties to the Catholic Church and signifies both reverence and respect during the pontifical ceremony.​
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain attended the inaugural Mass marking the commencement of Pope Leo XIV's papacy in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City on 18 May 2025.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey
She donned a bespoke midi-length dress crafted from white crepe by Redondo Brand, a Spanish occasionwear label founded by Jorge Redondo in 2019. The dress featured elegant long sleeves and a refined asymmetrical draped neckline, harmonizing modern design with the solemnity of the occasion.
Embed from Getty Images
The mantilla was crafted by the esteemed Spanish firm Lina Sevilla, based in Seville. Founded by Marcelina Fernández and Francisco Montero, the brand has a rich history in Andalusian craftsmanship. Mila Montero, the current director, shared that the Spanish Royal Household approached them for this significant occasion. The design was carefully selected to complement Her Majesty's ensemble by Redondo Brand. Montero expressed pride in the Queen's choice, noting that she wore the mantilla impeccably, adapting it seamlessly to her style.
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© Casa de S.M. el Rey
Queen Letizia upheld her personal tradition of wearing the Ansorena bezel-set diamond and pearl earrings, a cherished choice for papal audiences. She wore them during her first meeting with the late Pope Francis shortly after becoming Queen Consort in 2014.
Queen Letizia wears Ansorena bezel-set diamond and pearl earrings
© Casa de S.M. el Rey
Ansorena bezel-set diamond and pearl earrings
Queen Letizia carried a small white handbag and wore Magrit 'Clara' pumps in camel leather.
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On the eve of the Mass, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia warmly greeted crowds outside the Spanish Embassy in Rome, shortly after arriving in the city.
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© Casa de S.M. el Rey
Queen Letizia looked polished in a sleek black Mango straight-fit suit jacket and matching trousers, complemented by a crisp white shirt for a sharp, contemporary look.
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She wore a stylish new pair of Sézane Paula Babies in Ecru/Black (US$215). [Photo reference here.]
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Queen Letizia completed her ensemble with the striking Pdpaola Large 'Sugar' Earrings.
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13 Comments
Loli
20/5/2025 03:56:13 pm

The most important thing here is the "mantilla", a piece of art..

https://www-elespanol-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.elespanol.com/mujer/royals/20250519/hablamos-firma-mantilla-letizia-historia-accesorio-triunfado-vaticano/1003743763860_0.amp.html?amp_gsa=1&_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQIUAKwASCAAgM%3D#amp_tf=De%20%251%24s&aoh=17477204356255&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&share=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.elespanol.com%2Fmujer%2Froyals%2F20250519%2Fhablamos-firma-mantilla-letizia-historia-accesorio-triunfado-vaticano%2F1003743763860_0.html

Reply
Elizabeth (Admin)
20/5/2025 04:19:18 pm

Thank you for the information! I will add it to the blog post

Reply
Loli
21/5/2025 04:01:07 pm

😊🥰

Sandy
20/5/2025 10:39:00 pm

The Redondo dress is beautiful and elegant with a unique design on the bodice. The choice of a white outfit is interesting because it looks like the majority chose to wear black. I would think this was a more joyous occasion and not funeral like. Letizia really stands out from the crowd.

Reply
Milly
21/5/2025 11:04:41 am

Hi Sandy,

As Elizabeth pointed out in her blog post, black attire is required for women at formal Vatican events, and white is reserved for Catholic queens. The "privilège du blanc" allows Catholic queens to wear white in the presence of the pope, all other women must wear black.

Reply
Sandy
21/5/2025 10:29:44 pm

Thanks for the clarification, Milly. And yes, I need to read Elizabeth's details more closely going forward.

Asun
21/5/2025 04:15:29 pm

That thing about "stand out from the crowd" is not a Catholic meaning. Actually Catholic Queens can wear white because black in the day was the mourning colour and shows purity. Too much colours is considered tacky.

Reply
Laura
21/5/2025 12:04:57 am

Allowing certain women to wear white, while the others are in black, means Letizia really stands out. Her dress is chic and appropriate with some interesting details in the bodice. The mantilla is beautiful. Stark white is difficult to wear and a cream colour might suit Letizia's skin colour better...but perhaps the protocol calls for pure white. I don't think camel coloured shoes were a good choice and I would have preferred a plain white pump.

Reply
Loli
21/5/2025 04:00:43 pm

"Certain women", no , only "certain Queens"..'.the privilège du blanc" started for the Queens of Spain and was followed by the rest of the Catholic Queens...I mean, married with a Catholic King. By the way, Máxima from the Netherlands is a Catholic, however she represent a protestant Kingdom, so she must wear black.

Reply
Ava Pittman
21/5/2025 08:20:13 am

The Mantilla is beautiful, wonderfully crafted, looks exquisite. The Queen's white ensemble looks perfect. Very respectful, elegant and dignified.

Reply
Pepi
21/5/2025 04:03:04 pm

Actually Elizabeth has explained It very well, you should reas what she write...


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privil%C3%A8ge_du_blanc

Reply
Dee
27/5/2025 09:09:21 am

Yikes! She looks like a nun. Worst thing I have ever seen her wear. And the shoes? No bueno. Total mismatch.

Reply
Bertie
29/5/2025 06:49:52 am

Letizia looks just stunning in this stand-out outfit, The Redondo Brand sheath seems beautifully cut, the asymmetry of the neckline wonderfully balances the clean classic sheath silhouette. She carries the midi length well.

The lace mantilla is also stunning and so well worn, flat on her head and carefully folded to sit gracefully at the sides. The Andalusian craftsmanship could not be better displayed.

The superb Ansorena bezel-set diamond and pearl drop earrings are the perfect crowning touch to the ensemble. I admire her adapting to mismatch accessories, the white handbag is discreet against the dress, the Magrit Clara pumps offer a quiet variation.

Her earlier contemporary outfit of black Mango blazer and white shirt was a delight to see and shows her command of situations and wardrobe. Loved the new two-tone Sezane Paula Babies, such a smart adaptation of a comfortable shoe which complements a sharp outfit.

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