Princess Charlene of Monaco bucked tradition today as she showed her shoulders in a boat-necked black gown for a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican.
The mother-of-two, 44, could be seen bowing her head as she walked through the San Damaso courtyard with her husband Prince Albert, 64, following the meeting.
Normal protocol for papal audiences require that ladies wear a long black dress with a high collar and long sleeves, and a black mantilla.
However visiting the Vatican today, the royal appeared to wear a strapless black gown with a boat-necked sheer top for the occasion.
The visit came as the royal, who was born and raised Protestant but converted to Roman-Catholicism ‘of her own free will and choice’ in April 2011, continues her return to public life after an 11 month absence last year.
Earlier this week, she joined Albert at the 73rd Red Cross Gala in Monte Carlo – having previously missed the Monaco Rose Ball, which is one of the highlights of the principality’s social calendar.
Princess Charlene of Monaco donned an elegant black lace gown today as she joined her husband Prince Albert for a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican
Inside the Vatican, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene could be seen speaking with Pope Francis during the private audience
It’s not the first time she has worn something which bucked the normal tradition.
In 2016, Princess Charlene visited the Vatican in an all-white outfit as it was revealed she is one of only seven people allowed to don the colour while meeting Pope Francis.
Called le privilége du blanc in French or il privilegio del biacno in Italian, the special tradition is extended solely to designated Catholic queens and princesses and is usually reserved for important events at the Vatican such as private audiences, canonisations, beatifications and special masses.
Princess Charlene is bestowed this privilege, along with Queen Sofía of Spain, Queen Paola of Belgium, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Queen Letizia of Spain and Princess Marina of Naples.
Visiting the Vatican today, the royal opted to wear an off-the-shoulder black gown for the occasion
Charlene has long spoken of how her faith has offered significant comfort during challenging periods.
She said last summer that her decision to convert to Roman-Catholicism was because she found strength in the religion and it was part of Grimaldi tradition.
‘Catholicism is the state religion [in Monaco]. But for me, it represents much more. The values of this religion profoundly touch me and correspond perfectly to my spirit,’ People reported.
Charlene’s first state visit to the Vatican was in January 2013 along with Prince Albert.
The royal couple’s visit marked the 55th anniversary of the meeting of his parents, Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco with Pope Pius XII in 1957.
The royal said the ‘experience was extremely intense and moving for me’.
The couples visit today comes as Charlene continues to slowly re-enter royal life after largely remaining out of the public eye over the last 18 months.
Rumours have swirled that she is receiving £10million a year to appear at her husband’s side at official engagements.
She spent 10 months in her native South Africa last year after contracting a sinus infection that later required surgery.
She returned to Monaco in November but was there for a matter of days before leaving for a Swiss treatment facility. The exact nature of her condition was not made public but Albert said she was ‘exhausted’.
Since returning once again, the mother-of-two has made a handful of appearances including a recent solo engagement to a maternity ward.
Charlene and Albert’s relationship has come under enormous scrutiny in recent months.
Prince Albert said he was ‘hurt by the vicious rumours’ peddled about his marriage following his wife’s absence and said that it’s the ‘most beautiful thing’ to have her back with him.
Major French outlets that specialise in celebrity news said Charlene’s sudden re-appearance was welcomed by all Royal watchers.
‘But the Princess did not return at any price,’ magazine Voici reported. ‘She would have had her husband sign an ultra-confidential contract.’
The revelations were followed up by rival publication Paris Match Belgium, which wrote: ‘Prince Albert would himself pay a tidy sum to the princess so that she appears at his side at public events.’
The Royal Palace in Monte Carlo refuses to discuss specific financial arrangements, but the principality pays out some £40m a year to cover the institution’s running costs.
Pope Francis arrived in the San Damaso courtyard at the Vatican prior to a private audience alongside a masked driver
The royal couple appeared in good spirits as they arrived side-by-side ahead of the audience today
The mother-of-two bowed her head as she arrived at the Vatican earlier this morning for the audience
Princess Charlene, who converted to Catholicism in 2011, wore a black off the shoulder gown with a nude pair of heels for the outing
Meanwhile Prince Albert opted for a smart black suit with a pale baby blue tie for the meeting with the Pope
The couples visit today comes as Charlene continues to slowly re-enter royal life after largely remaining out of the public eye over the last 18 months
As they arrived earlier today, the royal couple were welcomed by Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza, a papal aide
In keeping with tradition, Princess Charlene wore a black mantilla across her short blonde locks for the event this morning
Royals are not salaried officials, however, meaning that Charlene would be reliant on Albert – a billionaire in his own right – for her own spending money.
A Royal insider based in Monte Carlo told Mail Online: ‘Of course the Princess enjoys huge perks, but ready cash is not guaranteed.
‘She’s been through a very difficult time, so it would make sense for Charlene to try and secure her own guaranteed income.’
Prince Albert said the time apart was ‘a test for his wife’ but they ‘spoke often, despite the distance.
Charlene first had a 10-month absence in her native South Africa, where she contracted and was hospitalised for a serious sinus infection that delayed her return to Monaco.
Meanwhile the mother-of-two also opted to wear a large cross and set of rosary beads for the meeting
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene walked alongside one another through the San Damaso courtyard as they left following a private audience with Pope Francis
After her return to the principality in November, Charlene left almost immediately to receive treatment for ‘exhaustion’ at a Swiss clinic.
The Monaco palace has consistently denied media reports of a rift between Charlene and the principality’s ruler Prince Albert, who were wed in 2011, following the princess’ long absence.
Speaking to French Sunday paper Journal de Dimanche last month, Albert said the last year was ‘a test for my wife especially, who suffered greatly and lived through difficult times, far from her family. A test also for our children and for myself.
‘We missed the princess a lot. And we were obviously hurt by the malicious rumours that were peddled. But we were able to stay united despite the distance, we spoke to each other often.’
He added: ‘Today, Charlene is back with us and this is the most beautiful thing which could have happened. She’s better, we can finally spend time together. It is a relief and a joy for all of us.’
At one stage, Prince Albert put sunglasses on to avoid the bright glare of the summer sunshine in the courtyard
Princess Charlene, who has previously spoken of how her faith has helped her through challenging times, bowed her head as she walked through the courtyard
The mother-of-two could be seen bowing her head as she walked through the San Damaso courtyard with Prince Albert following the meeting
The mother-of-two appeared pensive following the meeting with Pope Francis earlier this morning (left and right)
Charlene said last summer that her decision to convert to Roman-Catholicism was because she found strength in the religion and it was part of Grimaldi tradition
Princess Charlene met Prince Albert in 2000 during a swimming competition in Monaco and the pair married in 2011, before welcoming twins Gabriella and Jacques in 2014.
Born in Rhodesia – a previously unrecognised state in Southern Africa colonised by the British, she relocated to South Africa aged 11.
She had a successful swimming career and went on to win three gold medals and a silver medal at the 1999 All Africa Games in Johannesburg, as well as representing South Africa at the 1998 and 2002 Commonwealth Games and winning a silver medal in the 4 × 100 m medley relay in the latter competition.
However the pair’s marriage has made numerous headlines over the years, with a third paternity suit emerging in December 2020.
The couple appeared in good spirits as they waited for their car in the courtyard following the private audience
Soon afterwards Charlene famously shaved half her head in the style of a punk rocker. Months later she left for South Africa.
The allegations in December 2020 claimed that Albert had fathered a love-child (which would be his third, if proven) with an unnamed Brazilian woman during the time when he and Charlene were already in a relationship.
He has also fathered two other children outside of wedlock. Jazmin Grace Grimaldi, who is now 29 and the result of Albert’s affair with an American estate agent, and Alexandre Coste, 18, whose mother is a former Togolese air hostess.
Both children were struck off Monaco’s line of succession in return for vast financial settlements.
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