Here's Why Melania Trump Wore Black To Meet The Pope

A sad-looking Pope Francis welcomed President Donald Trump and his entourage at the Vatican Wednesday.

Melania and Ivanka Trump both wore black dresses with long sleeves and black veils (Melania’s dress was Dolce & Gabbana, a possible nod to Italy). Although Pope Francis has not enforced dress code rules for women at private Vatican audiences as strictly as his predecessors did, both women kept to old-school protocol.

This traditional rule holds that most women wear long black dresses with sleeves and mantillas, and only a very select handful of women ― around seven total ― enjoy an exception. These ladies have the “privilège du blanc,” or “privilege of the white,” which means they’re allowed to wear white to such events if they choose. According to the World Heritage Encyclopedia, the queens of Italy, Belgium and Spain, grand duchesses of Luxembourg, and princesses of the House of Savoy have historically been allowed to exercise the privilège du blanc at the Vatican.

There’s a common theme: Those are all Catholic royal houses, though not all Catholic royal houses automatically enjoy the privilege, as you’ll see in the photos below. And modern first ladies, at least, have strictly adhered to the traditional mandate.

“Per Vatican protocol, women who have an audience with the Pope are required to wear long sleeves, formal black clothing, and a veil to cover the head,” the first lady’s communications director, Stephanie Grisham, told CNN in a statement.

President Trump, wife Melania Trump and daughter Ivanka Trump meet with Pope Francis, on May 24 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Photo: Vatican Pool - Corbis via Getty Images)
President Trump, wife Melania Trump and daughter Ivanka Trump meet with Pope Francis, on May 24 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Photo: Vatican Pool - Corbis via Getty Images)

See what other first ladies and royals have worn for audiences with the Pope, including those with the privilège du blanc:

Hillary Clinton

Like other first ladies before her, longtime Methodist <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/topic/hillary-clinton">Hillary Clinton</a> wore black with a black veil to the Vatican. She exchanged gifts with Pope John Paul II alongside her mother&nbsp;Dorothy Rodham in&nbsp;1994.

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg

Pope Francis with Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and three of their grandchildren at the Vatican in 2016. Women traditionally had to wear a full-length dress when meeting the pope at the Vatican, but that rule has been relaxed.
Pope Francis with Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and three of their grandchildren at the Vatican in 2016. Women traditionally had to wear a full-length dress when meeting the pope at the Vatican, but that rule has been relaxed.

Queen Mathilde of Belgium

Pope Francis chats with&nbsp;Belgium's Queen Mathilde and King Philippe during a meeting at the Vatican in&nbsp;2015. As wives of <a href="http://www.luxarazzi.com/2013/03/luxarazzi-101-privilege-du-blanc.html" target="_blank">"Most Catholic" monarchs</a>, a hereditary designation awarded by a pope, both Mathilde and her mother-in-law Queen Paola have&nbsp;le privil&egrave;ge du blanc.

Queen Rania of Jordan

A member&nbsp;of a Muslim monarchy, Queen Rania of Jordan wore black to meet&nbsp;Pope Francis at the Vatican in&nbsp;2013. The dress code&nbsp;is far more loose&nbsp;when meetings happen in other settings: Rania wore white <a href="http://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-pope-mideast-20140525-story.html" target="_blank">when&nbsp;receiving the pope in Jordan</a>&nbsp;the following year.

Queen Masenate Mohato of Lesotho

Although she and her husband are Catholic, Lesotho's Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso does not have le privil&egrave;ge du blanc. She wore black when visiting Pope Francis with King Letsie III at the Vatican&nbsp;in 2013.
Although she and her husband are Catholic, Lesotho's Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso does not have le privilège du blanc. She wore black when visiting Pope Francis with King Letsie III at the Vatican in 2013.

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand

Britain's <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/topic/queen-elizabeth">Queen Elizabeth II</a> presented gifts to Pope Francis in lavender&nbsp;at the Vatican in&nbsp;2014. The protocol-conscientious queen, who is Supreme Governor&nbsp;of the Church of England, always wore formal black when meeting previous popes at the Vatican&nbsp;-- <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/International/photos/queens-papal-meetings-years-23175981/image-23176134" target="_blank">often with&nbsp;a tiara</a>, even! She&nbsp;broke out her <a href="https://crushmonkey.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/queens-color-chart.jpg" target="_blank">color wheel</a>&nbsp;only after Pope Francis relaxed the dress code.

Diana, Princess of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall

Both <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/princess-diana/">Diana, Princess of Wales</a>&nbsp;and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall wore black as they met Pope John Paul II in April 1985 and&nbsp;Pope Benedict XVI in 2009, respectively. Pope Francis, however, requires less formality: When Camilla and Prince Charles met him at the Vatican in April 2017, she <a href="http://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/787856/Prince-Charles-Camilla-Pope-Vatican-Brexit-charm-offensive-tour" target="_blank">wore a cream coat dress with no veil</a>.

Laura Bush

Pope Benedict XVI received&nbsp;Laura Bush in black as the first lady was on her way to the 2006 Olympics.
Pope Benedict XVI received Laura Bush in black as the first lady was on her way to the 2006 Olympics.

Princess Charlene of Monaco

Historically, the wife of the prince of Monaco does not have the privil&egrave;ge du blanc -- but after Charlene wore white to this visit in 2013, prompting a few eyebrows to raise, the Vatican reportedly issued a statement that&nbsp;"in accordance with prescribed ceremonial of the Vatican for Catholic sovereigns, the princess was allowed to dress in white."

Princess Grace of Monaco

Charlene's&nbsp;late mother-in-law Princess Grace, who was raised Catholic and married into the same Catholic monarchy, never received the privilege. She met Pope Pius XII in 1957 in formal black&nbsp;before she and Prince Ranier prayed at three different altars at&nbsp;the Vatican. Different times, we guess?&nbsp;
Charlene's late mother-in-law Princess Grace, who was raised Catholic and married into the same Catholic monarchy, never received the privilege. She met Pope Pius XII in 1957 in formal black before she and Prince Ranier prayed at three different altars at the Vatican. Different times, we guess? 

Queen Silvia and Princess Madeleine of Sweden

As members of a protestant house, Swedish queens&nbsp;wear black. Here Pope Francis poses with Queen Silvia, her daughter Princess Madeleine and Madeleine's&nbsp;husband Christopher O'Neill at the Vatican in&nbsp;2015.
As members of a protestant house, Swedish queens wear black. Here Pope Francis poses with Queen Silvia, her daughter Princess Madeleine and Madeleine's husband Christopher O'Neill at the Vatican in 2015.

Queen Letizia of Spain

Spain's <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/princess-letizia/">Queen Letizia</a> rocked business blanc when she and King Felipe visited Pope Francis at the&nbsp;Vatican&nbsp;in 2014. Before <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/19/queen-letizia-dress-king-felipe-spain-proclimation_n_5511570.html">she became queen</a>, she wore black.

Queen Sofia of Spain and Queen Paola of Belgium

Spain's Queen Sofia and Belgium's Queen Paola exercised their&nbsp;whites at the&nbsp;the canonization of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII in 2014.
Spain's Queen Sofia and Belgium's Queen Paola exercised their whites at the the canonization of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII in 2014.

Michelle Obama

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/topic/michelle-obama">Michelle Obama</a>'s first papal meeting occurred with Pope Benedict XVI&nbsp;in 2009 (she and her husband also later met Pope Francis). She followed tradition in black.

Sheikha Mozah of Qatar

Qatar's Sheikha Mozah wore just a splash of white when she met Pope Francis&nbsp;in his private library in 2016.
Qatar's Sheikha Mozah wore just a splash of white when she met Pope Francis in his private library in 2016.

Barbara Bush

Barbara Bush was meeting with popes back when her husband was "just" vice president. Here she is in a minimalist head covering&nbsp;with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican in&nbsp;1985.
Barbara Bush was meeting with popes back when her husband was "just" vice president. Here she is in a minimalist head covering with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican in 1985.

Jackie Kennedy

Gotta be royal! First lady Jackie Kennedy was Catholic, but exceptions&nbsp;don't apply to non-royals. She wore full-length black to meet&nbsp;Pope John XXIII in 1962.
Gotta be royal! First lady Jackie Kennedy was Catholic, but exceptions don't apply to non-royals. She wore full-length black to meet Pope John XXIII in 1962.

Princess Marie and Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein&nbsp;has long had a Catholic monarchy, but its female members&nbsp;have not been given&nbsp;the&nbsp;privil&egrave;ge du blanc.&nbsp;
Liechtenstein has long had a Catholic monarchy, but its female members have not been given the privilège du blanc. 

Nancy Reagan

Nancy Reagan followed protocol when meeting Pope John Paul II at the Vatican.&nbsp;
Nancy Reagan followed protocol when meeting Pope John Paul II at the Vatican. 

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands

Rules are tricky: Queen&nbsp;Maxima of the Netherlands remained Catholic after her marriage, but the Dutch royal family is protestant. She wears black in the presence of the pope, a fellow Argentine, as demonstrated at his inauguration in 2013.
Rules are tricky: Queen Maxima of the Netherlands remained Catholic after her marriage, but the Dutch royal family is protestant. She wears black in the presence of the pope, a fellow Argentine, as demonstrated at his inauguration in 2013.


CORRECTION:
Due to an editing error, a previous version of this post mischaracterized the event at which Queen Sofia and Queen Paola are pictured above. The women were attending a canonization ceremony. A provided caption misidentified the pope Princess Diana met in 1985; it was Pope John Paul II.

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Sophie Theallet

Sophie Theallet ignited&nbsp;the conversation about&nbsp;dressing Melania Trump&nbsp;when she<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/sophie-theallet-melania-trump_us_582efd3ee4b099512f82437e?od6neub49ioei2j4i">&nbsp;wrote an open letter</a>&nbsp;in November 2016 refusing to do it&nbsp;-- and&nbsp;encouraging other designers to follow suit.&nbsp;&ldquo;As one who celebrates and strives for diversity, individual freedom, and respect for all lifestyles, <a href="https://twitter.com/sophietheallet/status/799378444249399300?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" data-beacon="{&quot;p&quot;:{&quot;lnid&quot;:&quot;I will not participate in dressing or associating in any way with the next first lady&quot;,&quot;mpid&quot;:8,&quot;plid&quot;:&quot;https://twitter.com/sophietheallet/status/799378444249399300?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&quot;}}" data-beacon-parsed="true">I will not participate in dressing or associating in any way with the next first lady</a>," she wrote.

Tom Ford

Tom Ford was <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tom-ford-melania-trump_us_58402a08e4b017f37fe2d6b0">refusing to dress Melania Trump</a> even before she became first lady. Ford said on&nbsp;"The View" in December 2016 that he'd previously declined to dress Trump&nbsp;because she&nbsp;is "not necessarily my&nbsp;image," adding his belief that&nbsp;the first lady, no matter who she is, should wear clothing the American people can relate to. President-elect Donald Trump responded by claiming&nbsp;Ford was <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/01/18/donald-trump-tom-ford_n_14253600.html">never asked to dress his wife.</a> "I'm not a fan of Tom Ford," he said.

Christian Siriano

Although&nbsp;he originally said&nbsp;in December 2016 he would have to wait and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBm0FmlnRa8" target="_blank">"see how it goes" </a>before making a decision about dressing Melania Trump, Siriano told Time&nbsp;in April 2017 he doesn't think he would dress the first lady. "She is representing what&rsquo;a happening politically and what&rsquo;s happening politically right now is not really good for anyone,&rdquo; he said.

Zac Posen

Posen said in March 2017 that he doesn't plan on <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/zac-posen-doesnt-want-to-dress-the-trumps_us_58c6a9d6e4b0ed71826dfefd">dressing the first lady</a> any time soon. "I'm staying away from bringing my brand into politics," he said, citing "issues that are being questioned that are fundamentally upsetting" to him including LGBT and women's rights.

Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs told WWD in November 2016 that he "has no interest whatsoever" in dressing the first lady, opting instead to put his "energy into helping out those who will be hurt by [Donald] Trump and his supporters."
Marc Jacobs told WWD in November 2016 that he "has no interest whatsoever" in dressing the first lady, opting instead to put his "energy into helping out those who will be hurt by [Donald] Trump and his supporters."

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.