As the Vatican prepares for Pope Francis’ funeral, Kensington Palace has confirmed that Prince William will represent King Charles at the ceremony.
Reports have circulated suggesting that King Charles is not permitted to attend the funeral, which is set for Saturday, April 26.
Standing in on behalf of his father, Prince William will be among a host of global leaders, including US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Pope Francis Dies at 88, Leaving a Grieving World Behind
Prince William will attend the funeral of the late Bishop of Rome, held at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. The Pope’s body is currently lying in state there, with thousands of mourners arriving to pay their final respects.
Royal expert Katie Nicholl explained that King Charles cannot attend, even if he wanted to
Due to long-standing protocol, the British monarch will not travel to the Vatican. According to Vanity Fair’s Katie Nicholl, “the Sovereign does not attend funerals” as part of royal “protocol and precedence.”
Charles had to postpone his wedding in 2005 to attend Pope John Paul II’s funeral
Back then, he went in place of Queen Elizabeth II, delaying his marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles (now Queen Camilla) to pay his respects. Royal historian Rory Cormac explained that the tradition of monarchs not attending funerals has likely evolved over time and become the norm.
“The Queen didn’t go to other papal funerals, but this isn’t some sort of snub to Catholicism; she didn’t attend state funerals of US presidents either (sending a representative on her behalf). I don’t know when or how it started, she was pregnant at JFK’s funeral early on in her reign, sending Prince Philip in her place,” Rory told Bored Panda in an email.
“Once you haven’t gone to one, it’s hard to go to others,” added Cormac, co-author of The Secret Royals: Spying and the Crown from Victoria to Diana.
Some have seen Prince William’s role as symbolic
Rory Cormac, who specializes in international relations and covert statecraft, emphasized that Prince William’s attendance is part of his responsibilities as heir to the throne.
“As such, William’s attendance doesn’t symbolize anything other than him representing his father and we can’t read anything into it about his own views or his role as future king,” he explained.
Online reactions to the news varied. “lol why is he not allowed, is it Camilla,” one user joked. Another added, “It better that William represent the country.”
Others were more emotional: “Wow…representing is awesome..you deserve it..your mother would be so proud,” one wrote. “He’s the right one for the job!!!!” said another. One person noted, “That will be a significant moment—Prince William representing the King at such a historic and solemn occasion.”
King Charles and Queen Camilla met with Pope Francis shortly before his passing
The royal couple had planned a state visit to the Vatican earlier in April, which was canceled due to the Pope’s declining health. Nonetheless, they managed to visit him privately on April 9 during a personal trip to Italy — a date that also marked their 20th wedding anniversary.
Following the Pope’s death, King Charles expressed his condolences in a heartfelt message. He said he and the Queen were “most deeply saddened” and would remember their encounters with him “with particular affection.” He added, “We were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier this month.”
Prince William may one day lead the Church of England, but his faith differs from his predecessors
Although he is expected to become the head of the Church of England after King Charles, Prince William is not known for being especially religious. Insiders suggest he does not share the strong Christian convictions held by his father or his grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.
According to Robert Hardman’s biography Charles III, William is seen as a “modern young man” who often feels awkward with “certain aspects of ceremonial and religion.” Hardman notes that William “had not hitherto shared his father’s interest in faith and spiritualism, nor the late Queen’s solid devotion to the Anglican Communion.”
Despite health challenges faced by his wife Kate Middleton and King Charles in the past year, the biographer added that William will “not suddenly become a regular worshipper or feign an enthusiasm for something that he does not feel personally, however bleak the situation.”
By contrast, “The Princess, on the other hand, is said to have become rather more interested in questions of faith as a result of her condition,” he wrote.