Queen Camilla warned over dress code ahead of Vatican visit with King Charles

Queen Camilla has been issued a royal protocol warning ahead of her upcoming tour of Italy with King Charles, as the couple prepares for a landmark state visit from April 7 to 10. 

While their audience with Pope Francis has been postponed due to the pontiff’s health concerns, the royal visit to Rome will still go ahead—with a few key changes.

Earlier this week, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the meeting with Pope Francis had been delayed following medical advice suggesting the 87-year-old Pope needs continued rest after being hospitalized for severe pneumonia.

“The King and Queen’s state visit to The Holy See has been postponed by mutual agreement,” the Palace said in a statement. “Their Majesties send The Pope their best wishes for his convalescence and look forward to visiting him in The Holy See, once he has recovered.”

Despite the schedule shift, Queen Camilla is still expected to uphold a traditional and respectful dress code in any future meeting with the Pope, a jewellery expert has warned.

Tobias Kormind, Managing Director and co-founder of 77 Diamonds, said: “Royal visits to the Papal See require royals to adhere to a strict dress code rooted in tradition, respect, and protocol, with jewellery playing a significant role in their ensembles.”

The expert predicted: “She would likely wear a long black dress with long sleeves and a black mantilla, in keeping with Vatican protocol. A tiara wouldn’t be appropriate—she might opt instead for a symbolic brooch or pearl accessories that reflect her signature style and royal heritage.”

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