King Charles III has made history (23 October) after being the first royal to break a centuries-old royal tradition to pray with Pope Leo XIV in the Sistine Chapel.
The historical move marks the first time a UK monarch and the pontiff have prayed together in more than 500 years
But, despite the history-making nature of Charles and Queen Camilla’s visit today, it clearly didn’t take long for royal fans to get totally fixated on the latter’s get-up for the occasion.
For the occasion, Camilla opted for a traditional black outfit, including a veil over her head and shoulders. Her silk dress was by Fiona Clare, milliner Philip Treacy made the mantilla or veil, and she wore the late Queen Elizabeth II’s ‘raspberry pip’ brooch in the shape of a cross.
Now, the headpiece in question is called a mantilla, which is a lace veil that women have traditionally worn during Catholic services, and it remains as protocol for female dignitaries when meeting the Pope.
Notably, the daughter and wife of US president Donald Trump, Ivanka and Melania, were also spotted wearing a black mantilla when they met Pope Francis during his first term, as were previous first ladies.
Only royals from certain Catholic countries are permitted to wear white when meeting the Pope – something known as ‘le privilege du blanc’ with the exception currently applying to the queens of Spain and Belgium, the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg and the Princess of Monaco.
Still, though the veil is in keeping with tradition, that didn’t stop people hitting out at the design of Camilla’s headdress, which some called a ‘crown of thorns’.
One critic penned: “If the intention was to resemble the crown of thorns then it is at the very least mockery and blasphemy.”
“Jesus, wtf is that at Camilla’s head?” slammed a second, while a third chimed in: “A historic event but… what IS the Queen wearing on her head.”
A fourth echoed: “What is Camilla wearing on her head!”
“Looks like a costume for Halloween,” declared a fifth, while a sixth jabbed: “The veil is a Halloween couture?”
A seventh chirped: “Awww Camilla wore her Halloween costume to meet the Pope, how sweet.”
“Isn’t the queen’s headdress a bit exaggerated?” asked another. “A simple black scarf made of lace would have been more appropriate for the occasion!”
And a final critic added: “That headpiece is ridiculous… a simple veil would be enough.”
Addressing Camilla wearing a mantilla, Sky News’ royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills explained: “We weren’t sure whether or not this would happen.”
The expert added that it is ‘particularly pertinent’ and ‘a sign of respect to the Pope’ that she is wearing it.
