Reason why Prince William stepped in to represent royal family at Pope Francis’ funeral…See More

Reason why Prince William stepped in to represent royal family at Pope Francis’ funeral…See More

Prince William carried out his most significant duty so far as heir to the throne.

WASHINGTON — Some of the world’s most powerful leaders attended Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday.

Prince William joined European royals and presidents from around the world at the funeral mass in St. Peter’s Square. However, King Charles III was notably absent from the throngs of dignitaries at the ceremony.
It all comes down to British monarchy rules.

In a Vanity Fair article, royal expert Katie Nicholl explained that King Charles didn’t attend the funeral “in accordance with protocol and precedence which dictates that the Sovereign does not attend funerals.”

Instead, the Prince of Wales attended the funeral on behalf of his father, King Charles III. William, dressed in a dark blue suit and black tie, walked through the ornate basilica and down the steps into St. Peter’s Square, before shaking hands with a member of the clergy and being guided to his seat.

He stood side by side with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for a moment’s silence in front of Pope Francis’s sealed coffin.

He carried out his most significant duty so far as heir to the throne. It is the first time the prince has represented the monarch at an international funeral.

Credit: (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Britain’s Prince William, center right, speaks with guests for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025.
But this isn’t the first time a British monarch missed a pope funeral.

Following the death of Pope John Paul II in April 2005, Charles attended the funeral instead of Queen Elizabeth II. He even had to delay his wedding to Queen Camilla in order to attend, Vanity Fair reports.