The ambassadors—mostly male—were in regulation black (why black? Perhaps because the Pope is in pristine white) tailcoats, fancy white pique shirts, bow ties and those shiny patent leather shoes. The Vatican strictly prescribes this other-worldly uniform down to the "approved" list of two tailors. Most diplomats pay for this fancy dress they can't really use elsewhere from their own pockets. The Irish and Brazilian ambassadors, both of whom had served in India just previously, smartly visited a tailor in Delhi's Khan Market before arrival in Rome. In addition to the suit, the men have to wear their decorations. In the battle for neckwear, sashes and medals, the Latins won hands down. Western ambassadors looked positively dressed down in comparison but some had the ingenuity to "arrange" for decorations from the Knights of Malta, the old military order attached to the Vatican. There was one exception—the British ambassador who was surely the "most dressed", resplendent in Her Majesty's uniform of black and gold, complete with the sword. The gold stripe looked distinctly Indian with paisley and curly worlys. All in all, it seemed like there was nostalgia for the empire both Roman and British.
