Grand Duchess Stéphanie Uses Privilège du Blanc in First Audience With Pope Leo XIV

Overview

• Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie met Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace on January 23 in their first audience with the new pontiff.
• Stéphanie wore a white dress and lace mantilla under le privilège du blanc, a rare right reserved for select Catholic queens and consorts.
• The couple were accompanied by their children, Hereditary Grand Duke Charles, 5, and Prince François, 2.
• The Holy See said the Grand Duke also met Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher to discuss shared concerns including social cohesion, youth education and the safeguarding of human dignity.
• Stéphanie became eligible for the privilege after her husband’s succession in October, and the custom contrasts with the black attire most women wear for papal audiences.