RICHMOND, Va. (AP) 鈥� Virginia鈥檚 governors traditionally wear morning suits for their inaugurations. But for , the first woman to fill that role, dressed in white, the color of women鈥檚 suffrage.
According to 鈥淎 Guide to Virginia Protocol and Traditions,鈥� males in the official party wear morning coats, a formal daytime suit with long tails, and women wear dark suits for the inauguration. Many, including the new governor鈥檚 husband, kept to that tradition on Saturday.
Spanberger’s office did not respond to an email seeking comment on her inauguration outfit. But in a , Spanberger said she wouldn鈥檛 continue that tradition.
鈥淚鈥檓 not going to wear a morning coat, not to disappoint anyone,鈥� she said.
The new governor鈥檚 white outfit, which included a long, white coat with gold buttons, paired with white gloves, appeared to be a nod to the women鈥檚 suffrage movement that led to American women securing the right to vote. In her address, Spanberger noted the gravity of the moment and highlighted suffragists’ refusal to give up.
鈥淚 maintain an abiding sense of gratitude to those who work, generation after generation, to ensure women could be among those casting ballots, but who could only dream of a day like today,鈥� Spanberger said.
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
