Donald Trump’s sartorial selection at Pope Francis’s funeral has created a stir both among attendees and royal watchers. The former president was dapperly dressed in a beautiful blue suit, complemented by a blue tie and white shirt. This brazen move produced one of the fiercest responses from the attendees at the otherwise solemn event. He wasn’t the only one moving away from the customary all black funeral garb. Prince William, representing King Charles, surprise surprise, opted to wear a blue suit as well.
Attending the funeral with other world leaders, Trump’s sartorial selection was even more notable. Many criticized him during that time for changing the dress code to blue rather than the traditional black often worn at funerals.
Attendee Reactions
Social media critics were united on one point—Trump’s clothing choice was unacceptable, an indicator of the varying expectations for decorum. One individual commented on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating, “I was wondering why Donald Trump wore a blue suit. Now I understand. He stands out from the crowd. Meanwhile, Melania is in full traditional dress for a Catholic funeral.” This remark pointed to Melania Trump’s choice to wear traditional attire, which contrasted sharply with her husband’s outfit.
Others were less forgiving. A fan remarked, “The blue suits bother me. Sorry, but isn’t there a standard for black suits?” Another echoed these wishes, saying, “Wearing black was too hard? This sentiment perfectly encapsulates the belief that adherence to strict dress codes should be enforced—particularly during occasions as serious as a funeral.
The Royal Attire
Prince William’s choice to wear a blue suit was criticized as well. As the Prince of Wales, he is King Charles’ representative. His decision ignited an important conversation on what is appropriate clothing to wear at funerals. Some royal watchers expressed their dismay over William’s choice—as well as Trump’s. Their white tuxes and outfits were a sharp contrast to the classic black tux suits worn by some guests, and that wasn’t accepted by everyone attending.
Nichola Murphy, lifestyle editor at HELLO! magazine, joined the public discourse on both sides of the debate. She stated that while black is often seen as the standard for funerals, “it is not the only colour that is acceptable.” Her remarks show that even in the most serious contexts, there’s still opportunity for personal expression.
Influences on Attire Choices
Interestingly, some observers speculated that Prince George’s choice to wear a blue suit at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral might have influenced Trump’s decision. Public figures lead fashion through the impactful nature of their sartorial decisions. On these occasions, they can be representative of larger changes in taste expectations taking place at key moments.
Whether one finds the blue suits Trump and Prince William wore equally hideous largely depends on one’s political views. What comes across clearly is that personal expression is a powerful driver for how people choose to interpret traditional dress codes.
