Queen Camilla and King Charles had a full day on Wednesday, meeting with Pope Francis, attending the Italian Parliament, hosting a state banquet, and celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary.
During their private audience with the pope, which was rescheduled after the pontiff’s recent hospitalisation, Camilla was seen smiling warmly as she shook Pope Francis’ hand.
Her outfit, a sleek black dress, appeared to match King Charles’ dapper dark suit—but it also raised eyebrows for a subtle break from royal protocol.
Fashion Etiquette
There are specific dress codes for both men and women during official audiences with the pope. Men are expected to wear dark suits and ties, a rule that King Charles followed impeccably with his ebony ensemble. For women, the tradition calls for a modest black dress with a low hem, long sleeves, minimal jewelry, and a veil.
Camilla largely adhered to the dress code with a black dress featuring sharp tailoring, a small V-neck, boxy shoulders, cropped sleeves, and a knee-length skirt. However, she added a personal touch that departed from tradition.
Camilla’s Bold Choices
Instead of keeping accessories to a minimum, Camilla wore a multi-strand pearl necklace, a sparkling brooch to break up the black of her dress, and layered bracelets. Additionally, she opted not to wear a lace veil, allowing her signature bouncy blow-dry to take center stage.
Though her choices veered from tradition, Camilla still radiated regal elegance, making a memorable impression during the “special” visit with the pope.
