Queen Camilla just turned a centuries-old custom into a style statement. During a historic visit to the Vatican alongside King Charles III, the British monarchs met with Pope Leo XIV — the first encounter between the British crown and the papacy since his ascension in May. But while diplomacy was on the agenda, it was Camilla’s refined yet daring ensemble that stole the spotlight.
Arriving in Rome, the Queen embraced traditional papal protocol with her own elegant spin, donning an all-black silk midi dress designed by Fiona Clare, a London-based couturier known for her timeless tailoring. The dress featured a hidden front zip, pleated skirt, and subtle cap sleeves, creating a silhouette that was both regal and restrained. Two vintage brooches glittered against the fabric, while a string of layered pearls — clasped by a diamond pendant — added an air of old-world sophistication.
But it was her mantilla — the lace veil worn by women during papal audiences — that made this appearance one for the history books. Designed by Philip Treacy, the Irish milliner behind some of the royal family’s most memorable headpieces, the mantilla featured a leaf-embroidered headband and delicate botanical lace motifs that wrapped elegantly around her hair. The nature-inspired detail offered a subtle nod to the King’s lifelong environmental advocacy — and, perhaps unintentionally, to the spirit of the season. (Observers were quick to note the piece’s Halloween-adjacent charm.)
After the formal introduction, the royal couple and Pope Leo XIV took part in a joint prayer session inside the Sistine Chapel — a deeply symbolic gesture and the first time a British monarch and a Pope have prayed together publicly since the 1500s.
In one visit, Queen Camilla managed to blend reverence with reinvention. Her leafy mantilla wasn’t just a piece of protocol — it was a modern emblem of unity, diplomacy, and the enduring power of royal style.
