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Photo montage of Queen Mathilde of Belgium with a serious face and Pope Francis -in black and white- with a slightly smiling face.
Queen Mathilde of Belgium Sparks Controversy at Pope Francis's Funeral | Camara Europa Press, en.elcierredigital.com
PEOPLE

Surprise at Queen Mathilde of Belgium's Gesture During Pope Francis's Funeral

Mathilde of Belgium Sparks Controversy by Wearing a Criticized Pearl Choker at Pope Francis's Funeral, Which Was Already Seen in 2005

by

Daniel H. Marín

The Heart of Rome Awoke Today in Calm While the Vatican Prepared for One of the Most Important Funerals in Its Recent History: That of Pope Francis. From Dawn, a Crowd of Faithful and Authorities Has Taken Over the Surroundings of St. Peter's Basilica. The Atmosphere Was Charged with Emotion and Respect.

Throughout the Morning, Delegations from All Over the World Have Been Taking Their Place in a Crowded St. Peter's Square. Nearly 50 Heads of State and Ten Monarchs Joined to Pay Tribute. The Echo of Pope Francis's Legacy Resounded in Every Corner of the Vatican.

Aerial view of a crowd gathered on an avenue leading to a large cathedral with a prominent dome on the horizon for Pope Francis's funeral.
St. Peter's Square in Rome is crowded | RTVE

This Is the Detail of Queen Mathilde of Belgium That Has Shocked

According to His Wishes, Francis's Body Will Rest in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. He Rejected the Grandiose Tributes Typical of Pontiffs, Opting for a Simple Burial. A Final Act of Humility That Summarizes His Way of Understanding the Papacy.

​At the Funeral of Pope Francis, Which Is Being Held This Saturday in St. Peter's Square, Representatives from at Least Ten Royal Houses from Around the World Have Attended. Among the Confirmed Attendees Are King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Prince William Representing the British Monarchy, Prince Albert II and Charlène of Monaco.

Also Present Are Grand Dukes Henri and Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, as Well as Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway. Additionally, the Presence of Other Monarchs Is Expected, Such as King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan, King Letsie III of Lesotho, and Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

People dressed in black - who are King Felipe and Queen Letizia - and Swiss guards in colorful uniforms at a formal event inside a building with elaborate architecture before the tomb of Pope Francis.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia have also attended Pope Francis's funeral | RTVE

Amidst This Solemn Atmosphere, an Unexpected Gesture by Queen Mathilde of Belgium Did Not Go Unnoticed. The Monarch Wore the Same Pearl Choker That Was Criticized During the Funeral of John Paul II. Her Choice Immediately Revived the Debate on Social Media.

Comments Were Not Long in Coming, and Within Minutes, Reactions of All Kinds Emerged. Some Users Harshly Criticized the Accessory, Calling It "Horrendous 😣" or Even Associating It with the Term "Dominatrix." The Gesture Left No One Indifferent on a Day of Maximum Solemnity.

For Some, Mathilde of Belgium Proved Again That She Doesn't Let Criticism Influence Her. For Others, Her Attitude Was Interpreted as a Lack of Sensitivity in a Context of Deep Respect. The Queen's Personal Aesthetic Clashed with the Sobriety Demanded by the Moment.

Mathilde, Unaware of the Commotion, Walked Naturally Through St. Peter's Square. Her Appearance Became One of the Most Talked-About Topics of the Funeral. Again, the Eternal Tension Between Protocol, Image, and Spontaneity Was Back on the Table.

While the Church Bid Farewell to a Pope Francis Who Made Humility His Banner, a Simple Piece of Jewelry Captured, for a Few Moments, Global Attention. A Detail That, Unintentionally, Introduced a Hint of Controversy on a Day of Solemnity. The Image of Mathilde Will Remain, Like the Pontiff's Legacy, Engraved in the Collective Memory.

➡️ People

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