The Grand Duchess who forewent a special privilege at a papal meeting

Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg received Pope Francis when he visited Luxembourg on Thursday. The Grand Duchess made an interesting fashion choice when meeting His Holiness. 

There are only seven women in the world who have been granted the privilège du blanc, or the privilege of wearing white, when meeting the Pope. The seven women are the Catholic female sovereigns or wives of sovereigns. That includes Luxembourg, Spain, Belgium, and Monaco. Any other women would wear black when meeting the Pope. 

While the Grand Duchess has worn white for Papal visits in the past, she instead wore a black full-length dress on Thursday to meet with Pope Francis. She also wore a pair of diamond and sapphire drop-style earrings. 

Although His Holiness was only in Luxembourg for roughly eight hours on Thursday, the Grand Ducal Family made the most of their time with Pope Francis. 

The entire Grand Ducal Family was able to have a meeting with the Pope at the Grand Ducal Palace, including one of the youngest members of the family, Prince François. 

Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa then escorted Pope Francis back to the Papal Plane to continue on to Belgium.