King Charles III made royal history today (23 October) after becoming the first British monarch in more than five centuries to pray alongside a Pope — meeting with Pope Leo XIV inside the Sistine Chapel.
The extraordinary moment marked the first joint prayer between a UK sovereign and the head of the Catholic Church in over 500 years. The King and Queen Camilla’s visit to the Vatican was seen as a gesture of unity and interfaith respect.
However, despite the occasion’s historic significance, royal watchers quickly turned their attention to Queen Camilla’s striking choice of outfit for the audience with the pontiff.
For the meeting, the Queen Consort wore a traditional black ensemble, including a lace mantilla draped over her head and shoulders. Her silk dress was designed by Fiona Clare, while milliner Philip Treacy crafted the headpiece. Camilla completed the look with the late Queen Elizabeth II’s “raspberry pip” cross-shaped brooch.
The mantilla — a lace veil traditionally worn by women during Catholic ceremonies — remains part of Vatican protocol for female dignitaries meeting the Pope.
Notably, both Melania and Ivanka Trump wore similar black mantillas when meeting Pope Francis during Donald Trump’s presidency, as have several former First Ladies.
By contrast, only queens and princesses from specific Catholic nations are permitted to wear white under the so-called privilège du blanc — a right currently extended to the queens of Spain and Belgium, the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, and the Princess of Monaco.
Still, while Camilla’s attire adhered to tradition, her headdress sparked an unexpected storm online. Some social media users compared the intricate design to a “crown of thorns,” with one critic writing:
“If the intention was to resemble the crown of thorns then it is, at the very least, mockery and blasphemy.”
Others were less formal in their reactions:
“Jesus, what is that on Camilla’s head?” one person asked.
“A historic event but… what is the Queen wearing?” another added.
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Several joked that the look was better suited for Halloween:
“Looks like a costume for Halloween.”
“Awww, Camilla wore her Halloween outfit to meet the Pope — how sweet.”
Some commenters felt the choice was simply too much for the occasion, suggesting “a simple black lace scarf would have been more appropriate.”
Despite the online chatter, royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills told Sky News that Camilla’s decision to wear the mantilla was “particularly pertinent” and “a sign of respect to the Pope.”
While the Queen’s headpiece may have divided opinion, her husband’s visit to the Vatican made undisputed history — a moment that, despite the memes, will be remembered as one of the most symbolically powerful encounters of King Charles’s reign.
