Kensington Palace has confirmed that Prince William would attend Pope Francis’ burial on King Charles’ behalf as the Vatican gets ready for the event.
King Charles is reportedly not allowed to attend the funeral, which is scheduled on Saturday, April 26.
Prince William will join a number of world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, US President Donald Trump, and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who will be representing his father.
Pope Francis Leaves a Heartbroken World After Passing Away at 88 Prince William will be present at the late Bishop of Rome’s funeral, which will take place at the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Basilica. Thousands of mourners have come to pay their last respects, and the Pope’s body is currently lying in state there.
Even if he wanted to, King Charles would not be able to attend, according to royal analyst Katie Nicholl.
The British monarch will not visit the Vatican because of long-standing custom. As part of royal “protocol and precedence,” “the Sovereign does not attend funerals,” according to Katie Nicholl of Vanity Fair.
In order to attend Pope John Paul II’s burial in 2005, Charles had to postpone his wedding.
He postponed his marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles (now Queen Camilla) in order to pay his respects to Queen Elizabeth II at the time. The custom of monarchs not attending funerals has probably developed over time and became the standard, according to royal historian Rory Cormac.
The Queen didn’t attend earlier pope funerals, but this isn’t a slight against Catholicism; she also sent a representative to attend US presidents’ state funerals. In an email to Bored Panda, Rory said, “I don’t know when or how it started, she was pregnant at JFK’s funeral early in her reign, sending Prince Philip in her place.”
Cormac, co-author of The Secret Royals: Spying and the Crown from Victoria to Diana, continued, “Once you haven’t been to one, it’s hard to go to others.”
Prince William’s role has been viewed as symbolic by some.
Prince William’s presence is part of his duties as heir to the throne, according to Rory Cormac, an expert in international relations and clandestine statecraft.
Therefore, he clarified, “We can’t read anything into it about his own views or his role as future king, and William’s attendance doesn’t symbolise anything other than him representing his father.”
Reactions to the announcement were mixed on the internet. One commenter joked, “lol, why is he not allowed? Is it Camilla?” “It’s better that William represents the country,” another person commented.
Some said more sentimental things, such as, “Wow, representing is awesome..you deserve it..your mother would be so proud.” “He’s the best candidate for the position!” exclaimed another. “That will be a momentous occasion—Prince William representing the King at such a historic and solemn occasion,” one person wrote.
Pope Francis visited with King Charles and Queen Camilla just before he passed away.
The Pope’s deteriorating health forced the royal couple to postpone their earlier April state visit to the Vatican. Nevertheless, on April 9, when they were on a personal trip to Italy and celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary, they were able to pay him a secret visit.
In a poignant greeting after the Pope’s passing, King Charles offered his sympathies. He stated that he and the Queen were “most deeply saddened” and would cherish their interactions with him. “We were very touched to be able to see him earlier this month,” he continued.
Prince William’s faith is different from that of his predecessors, even though he may one day lead the Church of England.
Prince William is not particularly religious, despite the fact that he is anticipated to succeed King Charles as leader of the Church of England. According to insiders, he does not share his father’s or his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II’s strong Christian beliefs.
Charles III, a biography by Robert Hardman, describes William as a “modern young man” who frequently finds “certain aspects of ceremonial and religion” difficult. According to Hardman, William “had not hitherto shared the late Queen’s strong devotion to the Anglican Communion, nor his father’s interest in faith and spiritualism.”
The biographer went on to say 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,” despite the health issues that King Charles and his wife Kate Middleton have suffered in the last year.
In contrast, he added, “The Princess, on the other hand, is said to have become rather more interested in questions of faith as a result of her condition.”