Two of the royal consorts present at the inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV curtsied to the new Pontiff.
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, who was baptised Catholic, made a deep curtsey to Pope Leo as they met following the service at St. Peter’s in the Vatican.
The Queen of the Netherlands, wearing a long black mantilla, made the gesture as she shook hands with the successor to St. Peter. She then enjoyed a very happy chat with the new Pope.
Princess Charlene also curtsied to the Pope as they met. The Princess of Monaco exercised the privilege du blanc – the rule that allows the queens and consorts of Catholic monarchies to wear white in the presence of the Pope.
Queen Mathilde of the Belgians was also in white as was Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg but neither curtsied to the Pope, instead shaking hands as they spoke following his inauguration mass.
(You Tube still/ fair use)
Queen Letizia of Spain, another of the royal women in white, chose to kiss the hand of Pope Leo as they met.
Royalty packed the front rows of the inauguration mass with the Duke of Edinburgh attending on behalf of King Charles III. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden was there on behalf of her father, King Carl XVI Gustaf, while the Hereditary Prince and Princess of Liechtenstein were also present.
Leo XIV was elected Pope by the Conclave of Cardinals on May 8 2025. He succeeded Pope Francis who died on April 21 2025.
