King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain had an Audience with Pope Pius XI at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican on this day in 1923, which was the first modern State Visit to the Vatican. With the Official Title of Rex Catholicissimus ‘Their Most Catholic Majesties’, the Spanish Royal Family have made the most State Visits to the Vatican over the years!
Queen Victoria Eugenie wore the Spanish Fleur-de-Lys Tiara and a Diamond Riviere as she became the first Queen to be photographed exercising the Privilège du Blanc, the special Papal Privilege that allows certain Catholic Queens and Consorts to wear white in the presence of the Pope.
Queen Victoria Eugenie (wearing her Mellerio Shell Tiara and the Cartier Pearl Tiara) also had Papal Audiences after being exiled from Spain and widowed.
Royal Visits to the Vatican | Privilège du Blanc
