www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Queen Sophia of Spain: Byzantine Catholic Monarch

Dear Anton,

Do you prefer milk or dark chocolate?

Alex

Lindt...might be persuaded by Godiva's....don't do Cadbury (faaaaarrrrr too common, y'know)...

Anton

Dear Anton,

O.K., O.K., I'll go do something productive.

Alex

Put it in the dust-bin!

Yes, do so...and wash you mouth out with soap and water!

:p

Bidding you all a good night; off to watch ER before going early to bed for my exam tomorrow on "The Reign of Henry II: King of England and Lord of the Angevin Empire". Uhhhh.....

Dear Friends,

My apologies.

But it's nice to know that you knew what I was talking about!

Alex

A few corrections:

That would be because it has nothing to do with Spain. She is the only Spaniard who has this, and only four persons world wide.

On the issue of the religion of the British Royal Family, it is not true the Monarch may be of any religion. The Monarch must be "a faithful Protestant". The other members of the Royal Family must not be Roman Catholics but may be of any other religion.

HRH Philip may well be Orthodox, but he takes Communion and attend CofE services. It could be like Tony Blair, who is CofE but attends and takes Communion at Catholic services.

Axios

What is 'Privilege de Blanc?'

Paul

The 'Privilege de Blanc' is the honor given to Catholic Queens (no jokes, please!) to wear white in the presence of the Pope. (Adult women are otherwise expected to wear black). Four women have this honor, the Queen of Spain, the Queen of the Belgians, the Queen Mother of the Belgians, and the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg.

It is reported that it was offered to Princess Grace of Monaco. She declined the honor, with conflicting reports that she did so of humility, or because it was offered personally to her rather than perpetually to the Princess consort of Monaco.

The Pope also offers Catholic Queens the Golden Rose. Evita Peron tried to have it awarded to her, but the Pope did not do so.

Axios

Isn't the 'Privilege de Blanc' the right for female monarchs and rulers to wear white in the Pope's presence? I read in a book of ecclesiastical etiquette that only Catholic queens and princesses can wear white when visiting the Holy Father. All other women must wear black.

Of course you might recall how a few years ago the president of Ireland shocked the papal household by wearing a kelly green suit! :rolleyes:

PAX

Dear Friends:

Catholic Queens or ruling female Sovereigns have the right to wear white to papal ceremonies, in the Pope's presence, or as a formal mourning colour.

It is just an old Papal courtesy which is extended only to Catholic Royalty.

When the Queen, or any other female for that matter, goes to the Vatican she is technically obliged to wear Papal court dress (long black dress, and veil).

Catholic Queens wear white as their specific mark of distinction.

I have never heard of the custom having any significance than the aforementioned.


The following Female Sovereigns regularly wear the "Pivilege du Blanc"

Queen Sophia of Spain
Queen Fabiola of Belgium
Queen Paula of Belgium
Grand Duchess Josephine Charlotte of Luxembourg
Grand Duchess Maria Theresa of Luxembourg

The late Princess Grace of Monaco being only a Serene Highness and not a Royal Highness did not have the automatic right to the distinction (which was a pity).


defreitas

Good on ya, Mary Robinson!!!!!!!

Kelly Green Suit???? Oh my.....heresy, I say, heresy.

Well, you learn something new everyday...I wonder whether Margarita ("Queen") wife of Prime-Minister Saxe-Coburg-Gotha ("King") should have one. She is Catholic, but then her husband is not, and she is not a Sovereign Consort either....

One thing as well; why is it common for the Pope to be in white but no other Latin ecclesiastic? In the East, +Alexiis wears white, as well as +Teocrist and +Maxim, yet +Bartholomew wears black....and why is +Alexiis (hmm forget word....hat) different in look as compared to his brother prelates?

Mmm, I am sure that there is a heresy brewing somewhere...............................

Anton

The Pope did not always where what he wears today.

This started in sometime ago in the past what a dominican was elected as Pope, he continued to wear his habit. That is why what the Holy Father wears now resembles the dominicans.


David

Anton,

Some Roman Catholic priests in India and Africa wear white cassocks.

In the U.S. Ive seen the RC Brothers of Our Lady of Guadalupe wear a white habit. Quite stunning!!

God bless you,

Paul