St. Peter's Square witnessed a pivotal moment last Saturday during the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away following a stroke on Easter Monday.

The solemn occasion was marked by a mix of global leaders and royalty adhering to a stringent dress code, though some deviations, including that of French first lady Brigitte Macron, notably stirred discussions, as the Daily Mail reports.

The pontiff's funeral saw a gathering of numerous dignitaries, among them global leaders, clergy, and monarchs.

Each was expected to respect the traditional dress code prescribed by the Vatican: men in dark suits with a long black tie, and women in modest black attire with an option for a head covering.

Dress code provisions, explained

Specifically, male attendees were instructed to wear dark suits paired with a white shirt and a black tie. This formal attire adhered strictly to Western mourning traditions.

Women were advised to wear a modest black dress that fell below the knee or a formal suit, complemented ideally by a black headscarf, head covering, or veil, adding a level of solemnity to the attire.

Among the women who followed this guideline were Melania Trump, Queen Letizia of Spain, Jill Biden, and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway. Each chose attire complete with head coverings, conforming neatly to the prescribed dress code.

Mrs. Trump's ensemble was especially noted for its adherence to the dress code, featuring a black mantilla and matching gloves, which underscored her respect for Vatican customs.

Not all comply

Conversely, not all attendees chose to follow the head covering directive. Brigitte Macron, the first lady of France, opted for an alternative style, wearing a black double-breasted blazer paired with a long, pleated skirt that fell below her calves, a matching turtleneck, tights, and closed-toe pumps.

Olena Zelenska, wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also decided against wearing veils.

The absence of a head covering by these prominent figures did not go unnoticed and sparked varied reactions among observers and the media. Such deviations led to discussions regarding the flexibility of dress codes at high-profile events, especially those with deep-rooted traditions and protocols.

Men display both compliance, deviation from rules

Not just the women, but some male attendees also deviated from the expected norms. President Donald Trump was critiqued for wearing a blue suit instead of the stipulated dark suit.

This choice prompted various comments on social platforms questioning his sense of appropriateness and respect.

Similarly, Britain's Prince William faced criticism despite wearing a dark navy suit, which was slightly off from the expected black but still complied with the black-tie requirement.

Among the criticisms directed at Trump were voices from social media users questioning his choice of a blue suit at such a solemn event. Comments ranged from questioning whether he owned a black suit to outright expressions of disappointment in his attire choice.

Security protocols mark solemn day

To ensure the safety of such an assembly of influential figures, Vatican City was heavily fortified for the occasion. Amid this high-security environment, personal interactions among attendees were minimal but noteworthy.

During the ceremony, Melania Trump was observed encouraging Donald Trump to participate in the "Sign of Peace: ritual, a moment captured and interpreted by forensic lip reader Nicola Hickling.

The interaction, reported by the Daily Mail, highlighted the solemnity and the personal dimensions of the event amid the overarching formal protocols.