Thank you KarenL and Marianne for the links. Most interesting. Yet, nothing others have said on the boards has answered many of the questions I have.
Who might be able to use the privilige du blanc and when is fascinating, but not really a jewellery related topic, so I will try to limit my comments here. Basically, I suspect it is a privilege granted by the Popes (or the Vatican, if people like to think of administrators) and then exercised by royal ladies with discretion depending on specific circumstances.
For example at the funeral of Pope John Paul II several royal ladies who have (or had) the privilege wore black instead, although with pearls which have been considered suitable for mourning for many, many years.
Queen Paola at the funeral of Pope John Paul II
Later, at a meeting with Pope Benedict she wore white. (I have never been able to decide if she is wearing a small tiara)
Queen Sofia at the funeral of Pope John Paul II
I am tempted to interpret the dress code of these two royal ladies as a matter of respect during a period of mourning. Yet, for the funeral of Pope Paul VI the Grand Duchess Josephine Charlotte wore white. I very much doubt if the Grand Duchess would have broken protocol, so I am still perplexed by the intricacies of who can exercise the privilege, when and why. No doubt it is a matter of some diplomatic negotiation, and discretion by the royal ladies concerned.
Grand Duchess Josephine Charlotte at the funeral of Pope Paul VI. While her jewels are pearls, they are not jewels which could be overlooked.
Interestingly, the royal lady who wore the least jewels at the Inauguration of Pope Francis was Queen Maxima, who is, as I understand matters, not entitled to the Privilege du blanc, but is nevertheless a Catholic. Instead HM wore a long black gown.
Fo
--Previous Message-- : The so-called Privilege du blanc has been : discussed plenty times over the years on the : neighbouring GREMB as well as other Boards. : Here's a link to a more recent thread on the : Benelux NB which includes both info & : pics : : : http://members3.boardhost.com/Beneluxroyal/msg/1423940239.html :