Prince William attended Pope Francis’s funeral instead of his father, King Charles

26 April 2025 , 11:03

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Prince William attended Pope Francis’s funeral instead of his father, King Charles

Prince William has joined leaders from around the world, along with other mourners, at the funeral of Pope Francis in St Peter’s Square, representing his father, King Charles

Prince William has joined the thousands of mourners at the funeral of Pope Francis on behalf of his father King Charles. The Prince of Wales, a future head of the Church of England, is in St Peter’s Square in the Vatican with other royals from around the world, including 12 reigning monarchs as well as heads of state such as US president Donald Trump for the funeral mass of the Pontiff, who died earlier this week.

Before the service, William, who arrived in Rome this morning, was seen paying his respects and bowing his head at Francis’ sealed wooden coffin alongside Prime Minister Keir Starmer, shortly after President Trump and his wife Melania, also arrived for the service. The prince, with his hands clasped, solemnly bowed his head as he stood in reflection ahead of the funeral mass.

William, dressed in a dark suit, arrived by car for the open air ceremony and was seen walking down the steps into the square from St Peter’s Basilica before shaking hands with a member of the clergy and being guided to his seat. William made the journey from the UK on the King’s Flight.

William spoke briefly to US President Trump and First Lady Melania on his way into the service. He also spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron ahead of the mass.

Many have wondered why William, who didn’t meet Pope Francis, is attending the funeral while his father, who is still undergoing cancer treatment, is not there, despite him meeting the Holy Father just 12 days before his death during a state visit to Italy.

However, the decision is in keeping with modern tradition that the heir to the throne represents the monarch at events such as funerals. For example, Charles as the Prince of Wales went to Pope John Paul II’s funeral, representing his mother the late Queen, in 2005. Kensington Palace said the decision on William’s attendance at the Pope’s funeral followed Government advice.

William sat in the third row among other world leaders ( Image: Philip Coburn / Daily Mirror)

It is the first time the prince has attended an international funeral on behalf of the monarch - and it will be seen as a major milestone in William’s role as a global statesman and future king. In December last year, William represented his father at the official reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, where he met Donald Trump.

Sophie Walker