Prince Albert and Serene Charlene were at the Vatican yesterday to meet with Pope Francis. According to the Holy See Press Office, their discussion was “cordial” as they talked about:
“…environmental protection, humanitarian aid, and the integral development of peoples. Finally, the parties considered some issues affecting the international community, including peace and security, the reception of migrants, and the general situation in the Mediterranean region, as well as the Middle East.
Prince Albert II gave Pope Francis a food basket – containing fruit, vegetables, and cheeses – as well as the Monaco edition of the encyclical Laudato si’, and a medal.
Pope Francis gave the couple a Pontifical Medal and a copy of Evangelii gaudium.”
Royals are just like us! They give food baskets too! Do they buy theirs from Whole Foods?
As you can see, the princess was indeed serene. And she wore white, which is apparently a thing because typically in the presence of the Pope, women are supposed to wear all black, below the knee, a high collar, long sleeves, and a black mantilla. Apparently there are only seven women in the world who hold the “privilege du blanc”. In addition to Her Sereneness, Queen Sofia of Spain, Queen Paola of Belgium, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Queen Letizia of Spain, Princess Marina of Naples are also permitted to wear white with the Pope on very, very special occasions or when/if they have the honour of a private audience with His Holiness, which is what happened yesterday.
For some reason this reminds me of the time Justin Bieber met with former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in a t-shirt, overalls, and a backwards baseball cap and everyone freaked out.
Some pictures will make me laugh forever.
