At the pope’s burial, protocol missteps by both U.S. and French representatives did not go unnoticed. President Biden wore a blue tie instead of the traditional black, Trump wore a blue suit, and Brigitte Macron, the French first lady, broke customs by leaving her head uncovered — opting for a bouffant hairstyle instead of a black veil as required.

Other world figures, including Spain’s Queen Letizia and Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, observed the dress code, but Brigitte’s bold choice stood out, as did Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska, who also skipped the veil. Brigitte wore a black double-breasted blazer, a long pleated skirt, and a turtleneck, blending solemnity with a touch of defiance. Meanwhile, despite all the political tension, Trump and Zelensky publicly called their private meeting “very symbolic” and “potentially historic,” hinting at a fragile hope for cooperation amid a deeply divided international stage.