The Theology of Black

The contrasting colors of black and white worn by royal women when meeting the Roman Pontiff carry deep theological and historical significance.

The Theology of Black: 

Humility, Reverence, and the Norm

Queen Camilla, as the spouse of the sovereign of the United Kingdom, is a Protestant queen and must adhere to the traditional protocol of the Vatican.

1. The Norm: Black (The Tenebrae)

For centuries, the traditional, rigorous dress code for women in a formal papal audience, whether royal or not, required black attire.

Theological Meaning: Humility and Mourning: 

The color black signifies humility, piety, and penitence. Historically, it was worn as a sign of mourning, reflecting a spiritual sense of penitence for sin and reverence before the Vicar of Christ. The somber color is intended to ensure that no one's attire distracts from the sacred nature of the visit with the Holy Father.

The Protocol: Modesty: 

The dress itself must also be modest: a high neckline, long sleeves, a floor-length or at least knee-length hem, and a black mantilla (veil) for the head. This reflects the Church's teaching on modesty and respect for the sacred location of the Vatican City.

Queen Camilla's Attire: 

Queen Camilla wore black precisely because she is not a member of a reigning Catholic monarchy. Her choice to wear a long black dress and a black veil (mantilla) is a sign of great respect for the ancient protocols of the Holy See, following in the footsteps of her predecessor, Queen Elizabeth II.

The Theology of White: Le Privilège du Blanc

The right to wear white is a rare and profound exception to the black requirement, known in French as Le Privilège du Blanc (The Privilege of the White). This privilege is not a mere fashion statement; it is a profound historical and theological honor granted by the Holy See.

2. The Exception: White (The Privilège du Blanc)

The privilege allows a select few Catholic Queens and Princesses to wear a white dress, often with a matching white mantilla (veil), during official papal audiences.

Theological Meaning: Purity, Faith, and Light: The color white in Catholic liturgical theology is the color of purity, joy, triumph, and the resurrection.

  

It is the color of the robes of the resurrected Christ and the angels (Revelation 7:9).

It is the color worn by the Pope and all clergy during the most joyous liturgical seasons (Christmas and Easter) and on Marian and non-martyr feast days.

   

For the Queens, it symbolizes the unblemished purity of their Catholic faith and the loyalty of their nation’s dynasty to the Catholic Church.

 

The Recipients: Catholic Monarchies: 

The privilege is extended only to the reigning (or consort) Queens and certain designated Princesses of historically and officially Catholic royal houses. As of today, this group is extremely small and includes:

The Queen of Spain (Queen Letizia)

   

The Queen of the Belgians (Queen Mathilde)

   

The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg (Grand Duchess Maria Teresa)

   

The Princess of Monaco (Princess Charlene

The privilege is explicitly not granted to the wives of non-Catholic monarchs (like Queen Camilla) or even to the Catholic wives of non-Catholic monarchs (like Queen Máxima of the Netherlands).

In essence, Queen Camilla’s black attire is a display of reverence and respect for the Head of the Catholic Church by adhering to the universal protocol for women. In contrast, the select Catholic queens' white attire is a public recognition of their dynasty's special relationship and fidelity to the Holy See, recognized as a singular honor (privilegium) within the universal Church.