Rex Catholicissimus
The Latin title Rex Catholicissimus, Anglicized as Most Catholic King or Most Catholic Majesty, was awarded by the Pope to the Sovereigns of Spain. It was first used by Pope Alexander VI in the papal bull Inter caetera in 1493.
One of the rights of a Most Catholic queen – either regnant or consort – is the privilège du blanc, meaning that she may wear white colored garments when meeting the Pope rather than the normal black used by other consorts and heads of state.
The best-known example of this title is the Catholic Monarchs (Los Reyes Católicos), used solely in reference to Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon.
Neither King Juan Carlos I nor Felipe VI have made use of the title, but they have not renounced it either.
Similar titles[]
The monarchs of other countries have received similar titles from the pope:
- Hungary: Apostolic Majesty (awarded c. 1000)
- Venice: Most Serene Republic
- France: Most Christian Majesty (awarded c. 1380)
- England: Defender of the Faith (awarded in 1521, revoked c. 1530. Continued to be used by the British Monarch as Supreme Governor of the Church of England)
- Germany: Defensor Ecclesiae (Protector of the Church; awarded to Holy Roman Emperors)
- Portugal: Most Faithful Majesty (awarded in 1748)
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- Roman Catholic monarchs
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