According to royal expert Katie Nicholl, protocol dictates that the Sovereign does not attend funerals, explaining why King Charles, despite being the last head of state to meet Pope Francis before his death, will stay behind. Instead, Prince William will attend in his father’s place, marking his first time officially representing the king at a major international funeral. This mirrors history, as then-Prince Charles represented Queen Elizabeth II at Pope John Paul II’s funeral.
What makes this event even more emotional is that King Charles and Pope Francis had met just days before his passing and shared a long-standing friendship. In a heartfelt statement, King Charles praised the pope’s compassion, unity, and devotion to both humanity and the planet, noting how deeply he touched lives worldwide. As William steps onto the world stage to honor the pope, it’s clear this farewell marks not only the loss of a beloved religious leader but also a poignant moment of history repeating itself.