Prince William to represent King Charles at Pope Francis' funeral
British media have pointed out that Prince William’s presence at such an event signals a significant step in his increasing public and diplomatic responsibilities.
Prince William will represent King Charles III at the funeral of Pope Francis, set to take place at the Vatican on Saturday, according to a statement from Kensington Palace.
The palace confirmed that the heir to the British throne will attend the service "on behalf" of the King, continuing a modern tradition that has seen the royal family members stepping in for the monarch at significant events.
The funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away recently, will see Prince William in a prominent diplomatic role, marking a key moment in his evolution as a global figure and a future monarch.
This marks a similar decision to that of King Charles when he, as Prince of Wales, attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005.
At that time, the late Queen Elizabeth II, as head of the Church of England, did not attend the funeral of a pontiff during her reign from 1952 to 2022.
British media have pointed out that Prince William’s presence at such an event signals a significant step in his increasing public and diplomatic responsibilities.
His participation also comes shortly after a state visit by King Charles and Queen Camilla to Italy earlier this month, during which they met Pope Francis for a brief 20-minute audience.
While Prince William’s attendance at the funeral reinforces his growing diplomatic presence on the global stage, the decision also comes amid personal challenges for King Charles.
The monarch, who is 76, began treatment for an undisclosed cancer earlier in 2024 and was recently hospitalized due to side effects.
As a leader of the Church of England, King Charles has long upheld a tradition of supporting the Vatican, despite never attending a papal funeral during his reign.
Prince William’s role at Pope Francis’ funeral not only reflects his deepening state responsibilities but also highlights the continued relationship between the British monarchy and the Catholic Church, which has been central to many significant moments in royal history.