luxembourg royals1 © Photo: Rex

Princess Amalia steals the show as Luxembourg's royals meet the Pope

Content Managing Editor
March 21, 2016

Monday was a truly grand family affair for the Luxembourg royals, who were out in full force to meet the Pope. Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa travelled to the Vatican City with their children and grandchildren, but it was the youngest member of the group Princess Amalia who stole the show.

The little girl, who is the one-year-old daughter of Prince Felix and Princess Claire, was the picture of cuteness in a white dress with a pink bow. She was as good as gold as she was introduced to Pope Francis and stood next to the 79-year-old Catholic leader during the photocall.

After the pictures were taken, Amalia didn't want to leave her grandmother's side and Maria Teresa sweetly scooped her up in her arms.

© Photo: Rex

Princess Amalia didn't want to leave her grandmother Maria Teresa's side

The family enjoyed a private meeting with the Argentinean, with Cuba-born Maria Teresa greeting Pope Francis in the pair's native Spanish.

The Grand Duchess was the only female royal to wear white, adhering to the "privilège du blanc " rule which states that only a Catholic queen or princess, or one married to a Catholic monarch, can wear the colour.

The little girl is the one-year-old daughter of Prince Felix and Princess Claire

Other royals who are allowed to wear white include Queen Sofia and Queen Letizia of Spain, Queen Mathilde and Queen Paola of the Belgians and Princess Charlene of Monaco.

The rest of the group including Maria Teresa's daughters-in-law Princess Stephanie and Princess Claire all wore black.

© Photo: Getty Images

Maria Teresa is celebrating her 60th birthday on Tuesday

The Pope presented the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess with a peace medallion and an encyclical on the environment. As they left, the Pope bid the couple – who have been married for 35 years – farewell with a private joke as he laughed and said: "I also congratulate you for the conversation you have had."

Meeting the Pope was the perfect excuse for the Luxembourg royals to gather and celebrate together. Maria Teresa is turning 60 on Tuesday and she will no doubt have been thrilled to spend the lead-up of her milestone birthday surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

Sign up to HELLO! Daily for all the latest and best royal coverage

Email Address

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here.

More Royalty

See more