It all has to do with history, tradition, and symbolism: according to an article I read, it used to be that all Catholic royal women enjoyed the white privilege -- as symbols of purity and ties to the Vatican. But this became increasingly restricted over the years, thanks to monarchical abolitions and downsizings.
Monaco, however, represents the opposite situation: sovereign princesses and princesses consort used not to have the said privilege. But Pope Benedict XVI extended it to Charlene. Who knows? Perhaps Pope Leo XIV will extend it to Sophie of Liechtenstein, after her husband formally succeeds to the throne as the reigning prince. 
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You left out the Princess and hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein...when the latter's husband becomes reigning princess anyway.
Why on earth would anyone who is Catholic have to switch to black from white when they become an adult if they're still Catholic? Never heard of that. Previous Message
I believe the following is an updated list of women eligible for this --
The 2 queens of Spain
The 2 queens of Belgium
The 2 grand duchesses of Luxembourg
The princess consort of Monaco
The princess of Savoy
Correct?
Also, it was explained that Catholic princesses during their minority can wear white in the presence of the Pope; but once they reach their majority, they have to wear black.
What this means is that as a girl, Crown Princess Elisabeth of Belgium started off being able to wear white (just like Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg), but had to change to black after becoming a legal adult at the age of 18, but will one day be able to wear white again -- once she succeeds to the throne as queen regnant.
Correct?
I ask this because of a recent visit to the Vatican by the new sovereign couple of Luxembourg: Grand Duchess Stephanie exercised the white privilege for the first time, in meeting the Holy Father in person.
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on 27/1/2026, 13:41:00, in reply to "