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OK: I read another article which explained it better. It used to be that ALL Catholic spouses of Catholic royals were eligible for the white privilege. For that reason, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands obviously would not qualify -- even though the said privilege is now restricted to sovereign couples.

In the past, one saw Spanish infantas and Habsburg archduchesses, not just queens, wearing white in the presence of popes: the color symbolized purity and ties to the Vatican.

The only non-sovereign consort today, the article stated, enjoying the privilege has to do with the fact that Marina is a member of the house of Savoy -- notwithstanding the fact that her father-in-law Umberto II, the last king of Italy, did not approve of the marriage of his only son and heir. That being said, her husband nevertheless is the undisputed head of that royal house.

A grand duchess is close to a queen in rank, so it makes sense that Maria Teresa of Luxembourg has the privilege. I find it interesting that Pope Francis extended this to sovereign consorts of Monaco, but not Liechtenstein. Perhaps things will change, in the hypothetical scenario that Aloys and Sophie meet with Pope Leo XIV ...

Otherwise, all other woman, regardless of religion, are supposed to wear long black dresses with high necklines and head coverings. However, some female presidents of Ireland and Raisa Gorbachev did not dress thus in the presence of Pope John Paul II: the article did not state what they wore.

Another point: some Catholic queens today, even though eligible for the white privilege, nevertheless choose to wear black, out of reverence for the holy father. Indeed, I recall seeing a photo of Paola of the Belgians (I forget which pope) thus.