The Gist
King Charles and Queen Camilla visited the Vatican on October 23 to take part in a historic visit.
On Thursday, the King prayed alongside the Pope in public, the first time a British monarch has done so since the Reformation.
For the occasion, Camilla wore two symbolic pieces of jewelry that paid tribute to both her husband and her late mother-in-law Queen Elizabeth.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are currently undertaking a historic visit to the Vatican to meet with Pope Leo, where the King will pray alongside the Pope on October 23—the first time a British monarch has prayed with a Pope in public since the Reformation in the 16th century.
The Queen—who, like many royal women, send subtle messages through their clothes and jewelry—did just that on Thursday, wearing two significant accessories that honored two monarchs, both her husband and her late mother-in-law Queen Elizabeth.
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Queen Camilla on October 23, 2025
Wearing a black silk dress by Fiona Clare and a Philip Treacy mantilla, Camilla wore the Raspberry Pip Brooch that was once a part of Queen Elizabeth’s jewelry collection, Tatler reported. Interestingly, it was never worn in public by the late Queen, but Camilla often wears it as a tribute to Her late Majesty, who died in 2022. The piece is designed in the shape of a Georgian cross, is set with topaz and diamonds, and is valued at an estimated $53,000, per The Daily Express.
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Queen Camilla at the Vatican
Camilla paired the brooch with an Edwardian pearl necklace that has a romantic link to Charles, Tatler reported. The necklace—which features a diamond clasp—was previously worn by Camilla for her 14th anniversary photo with Charles in 2019, as seen in a photograph taken by Alexi Lubomirski. She also wore the necklace to Royal Ascot in 2016 and to the State Opening of Parliament in 2022.
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Queen Camilla wearing a symbolic brooch and necklace
The Queen’s decision to wear black is an interesting one and one that follows royal protocol. When meeting the Pope, women traditionally wear a modest black dress with sleeves, as well as a black mantilla, which Hello! described as “a lace or silk veil or shawl worn over the head.” The only exception to the black dress code rule is for certain female royals who have what is known as “le privilège du blanc,” which translates to “the privilege of the white,” a custom of the Catholic church that allows queens or princesses from Catholic countries to wear white during an audience with the Pope.
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King Charles, Pope Leo, and Queen Camilla
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Queen Camilla visiting the Pope alongside King Charles
Only seven royal women are granted this privilege, and Camilla is not among them—they are Queen Letizia of Spain, Princess Charlene of Monaco, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg, and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, as well as two former queens, Queen Paolo of Belgium and Queen Sofia of Spain, according to Hello!.
Read the original article on InStyle