On October 23, 2025, King Charles III and Queen Camilla met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican as part of their official State Visit. They were welcomed into the San Damaso Courtyard by the Swiss Guard to the sound of the hymn “God Save the King.” The King and Queen were greeted by the Regent of the Prefecture of the Papal Household, the Reverend Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza.
The King and Queen met Pope Leo XIV at his official residence, the Apostolic Palace, before attending an ecumenical service in the famous Sistine Chapel. For the occasion, Queen Camilla wore a black silk dress by Fiona Clare, a traditional mantilla by Philip Treacy, and a “raspberry pip” cross-shaped brooch that once belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
King Charles III And Queen Camilla, accompanied by Pope Leo, then attended a special ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel, marking the joining of hands between the Catholic Church and Church of England in a celebration of ecumenism.
The headdress is a bit too spikey for my taste. I would have prefered the feathers to be arranged in a more soft way. Else, she is, of course, dressed very much according to Vatican protocol, in particular when attending a private mass (held in the Sistine Chapel) in the presence of the Pope.
ReplyDeleteshe could have taken advantage of her vatican Royal privilege to wear white
DeleteI agree regarding the "spikeyness" of the headwear. However, it is something she would have been very, very much aware of, so I wonder if it has some symbolic or other meaning outside of fashion alone. It was certainly a bold choice.
DeleteAgree. Without feathers would be much better.
DeleteYes indeed, I thought the same about the headdress, would prefer something softer.
DeleteIt IS spiky, but looking face on, it beautifully frames her face. Interesting choice!
DeleteMissy, since she is not a Catholic Queen, the rule of Privilege du Blanc does not apply to her. There haven’t been Catholic queens in England for a very long time!!
DeleteI live here whole outfit except for the veil. I agree with the others who have said it looks like bats flying around her head. Not a good look for this visit.
@Missy - the privilege du blanc (wearing white) only applies to certain Catholic Queens and Princesses; it does not apply to the Queen of England/Camilla.
Delete-Royal Watcher
I thought that the privilege of wearing white is only for catholic kings and queens like eg Belgium and Monaco
DeleteMissy, the protestants do not have any privilegie to wear White, only Catholic Queens.
DeleteMissy @14:11 the Queen of England has no privilege. It's reserved for catholic queens. Spain, Monaco, Belgium, Luxemberg - I think that's the list of queens who can exercise Privilege du blanc.
Delete@Missy, the white privilege is for Catholic queens I believe.
DeleteNot only Catholic queens, but Catholic queens [and Catholic princesses (Monaco) and Catholic Duchesses (G.D. Luxembourg)] who married a Catholic King, Prince or Duke.
DeleteI also think she should have kept it simple. It looks a bit ridiculous in my opinion. An audience with the Pope is a bit like going to a funeral in that it is not the time to be "edgy."
DeleteThis is a very impressive visit! Think of having a mass read for you in the Sixtine chapel! Camilla has a bit of playfulness in her mantilla: I guess this relatively young Pope will appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteThe mass is an ecumenical service marking the joigning of hands between the Catholic Church and the Church of England (read the introduction). The mass is not read for a person, although I am sure the pope didn't forgot King Charles in his prayers.
DeleteI agree 14:04, there is some playfulness. Very much appreciated!
DeleteI can't find words for the head piece. But is a big no for me It is drawing too much attention to Camilla, which in this setting is very innapropiate. Like wearing a carnalesk hat to a funeral.
ReplyDeleteLisa
Agree !!
DeleteAgreed. This is another one of those times when I wonder, "At what point did you look into the mirror and think this was a good look?" I would assume (and I could be wrong) that for these types of important visits more than one choice of outfit and accessories are laid out for her. If so, she should have realized the other option(s) was better than this one.
DeleteDer Schleier ist gruselig, anfangs dachte ich sie trage einen Lorbeerkranz. Wahrscheinlich soll das etwas besonderes sein. Ich meine man solle sich an dem Sinn eines Schleiers orientieren oder an anderen Besucherinnen des Vatikans. Feinste Spitzen und Schleier die in der Tradition weitergegeben werden. Aber so ist das als vielleicht modisch modernes gedacht, zu gewagt für meinen Geschmack. Mich erinnert es an die Bavaria München, mehr noch an die Freiheitsstatue. - Dorothe -
ReplyDeleteWith Halloween coming up the head band looks like a row of bats flying on the top of her head! Kind of spooky looking!
ReplyDeleteHaha that's right
DeleteThe attention seeking Cam, got her wish, she looks straight out of a Schitt's Creek Episode; https://www.vulture.com/2019/01/schitts-creek-the-crows-have-eyes-moira-rose.html
DeleteMoi ça me fait penser à une branche d'arbre qui a pris feu et qui est toute carbonisée ;-) Paloma.
DeleteOui avec un peu d’imagination hi, hi !
DeleteI think it’s leaves. I love it.
DeleteIt is not Halloween yet, Queen Camilla!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the above comment, the headdress gives Halloween vibes
ReplyDeleteI do not consider this a "traditional mantilla", as stated above. This is something else--I'm not sure what. I keep thinking widow's weeds, both figuratively and literally. I appreciate the intent, but I personally don't care for the headpiece. I have seen on other sites references to Halloween and Morticia Addams. I was wondering if it was an attempt to give the look of a tiara without wearing a tiara as was the tradition many years ago. I also think the tulle looks cheap, though I am sure it is not. A simple lace mantilla would have been lovely. The rest of her attire is quite appropriate. Charles is also very respectful of the Vatican's protocol and tradition with his black tie. I would have liked to have seen him in a dark grey suit instead of the blue. It is just my personal quirk, but I am so tired of the blue suits. This is a momentous occasion. Charles is the first King as the head of the Church of England to pray with a pope.
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree that a gray suit on the King would have looked much better with the black tie and shoes. I really like the cut on the Queen’s dress, but the headpiece is distracting. She favors huge hats with tons of feathers/flowers so probably not surprising that this is the choice for the Vatican.
DeleteI agree. This is not a "mantilla". A "mantilla" is made of lace, not of tulle.
DeleteThe feathers are ridiculous.
Wearing a dark blue suit is allowed to visit the vatican. But since Camilla is dressed in black, the least he could do is wearing a very dark (navy, black or very dark gray) suit.
DeleteLe Blanc est réservé aux souveraines de religion CATHOLIQUE
ReplyDeleteOnly catholic queens may wear white
ReplyDeleteUn NO assoluto per questo copricapo, possibile che nessuno le abbia fatto cambiare idea? Sembra quasi uno scherzo che ha tolto solennità a questo evento storico.
ReplyDeleteQualcuno ha scritto “privilegio reale per indossare il bianco”, ma solo le regine cattoliche possono farlo.
Camilla is nicely dressed and groomed, but the top part of her veil initially looked to me like a group of crows or bats.
ReplyDelete-Royal Watcher
My initial thought on seeing the headpiece was the crown of thorns.
DeleteI agree. I do think there must a meaning behind it.
DeleteDamsel Dragonfly
Second thought: it's a mantilla with black leaves. Interesting, but the pointy ends give it a Halloween vibe. I do think it's better than Queen Elisabeths shiny tiara in the sixties (opinions may vary on that one). You can see more in detail here: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15219545/Queen-Camilla-echoes-Elizabeth-II-wearing-black-historic-meeting-Pope-nearly-65-years-late-monarchs-visit.html
DeleteHonestly: I secretly hope she has some diamonds or black stones addes to make a new and interesting tiara from this one (like Mary's Midnight Tiara but more Camilla-style, somewhat bolder).
Damsel Dragonfly
I like this coat, fit well. I wonder if the veil was from QE. The head piece does look rather strange,moerhaps it was to look like a crown, but I think it missed the mark giving crown of thorn, bats, vibe. I would of preferred the king to wear a darker suit for this ceremony however just being in attendance in the Sistine chapel wow.
ReplyDeleteI can’t think why Camilla would add such decor to a classic mantilla.
ReplyDeleteIs that a crown of thorns on her head?
Is she doing her penance in front of the Pope.?
Or, perhaps it’s just inspiration she picked up at Ascot.
Leaves I think. Probably symbolic. She looks beautiful.
DeleteGreat sense of humor
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw that headpiece, my first thought was about a Medusa.
ReplyDeleteHaaaaaaaaa!
DeleteI don't understand this "flame crown" - but apart from it, I think Camilla looks fabulous. Her dress is impeccable, the length and the shoes show very attractive legs. She seems to have changed her mind as for shoes, or found shoes that are comfortable *and* pretty looking.
ReplyDeleteOK--Queen Camilla is beautifully dressed and I mean her dress. Camilla rarely goes wrong with her head gear--she really looks fabulous in a big, showy hat--but this topper for her veil is a 100% no for me. I understand she needed to anchor her veil but there is a multitude of solutions before this one should have come up.
ReplyDeleteJanet
What is the ribbon Camilla is wearing above the broach in the later pictures ?
ReplyDeleteThe irony is not lost on anyone,that England left the Catholic Church so Henry 8th could divorce and remarry.Now centuries on,we’ve come full circle with King Charles a divorcee sitting at the hand of the Pope. Life has a funny way of taking us full circle.
ReplyDeleteFashion wise I couldn’t think of a more unflattering headpiece than the this. It looked more fitting to a Halloween event than an audience with the Pope. Camilla could have worn a black hat and small veil. This veil is half way down her back. Not one of her better choices.
Lowri.
The black veil is part of an older dress code for a visit to the vatican, a bit of research would be good before judging. The Late Queen Elizabeth II wore a veil for such a visit too. The headpiece connected to it is also not for my liking, but @Anon 17:12 with her "attention seeking queen" is inappropriate and says more about Anon 17:12 than about the queen.
ReplyDeleteI'm not even sure what those spiky things are suppose to be/represent. Are they black leaves? Well ... I guess they gave the Pope something to focus on if the conversation got boring at any point.
ReplyDeleteThe head piece draws too much attention, Why?? thought this is a diplomatic, cultural ideas exchange visit.
ReplyDeletePost a Comment