Charles III's entourage reveals the truth: William makes a decision now

The funeral of Pope Francis, which will take place on Saturday, April 26 in the Vatican, will bring together figures from around the world. However, King Charles III will not attend the ceremony, with his son, Prince William, representing him. This decision is based on the protocol of the British royal family, which states that the monarch should not participate in or attend the funerals of popes.

The protocol marking Charles III's absence

The monarch is not expected to attend a Pope's funeral, which is why Prince William will travel to the Vatican on behalf of his father. This is not the first time an heir to the throne has fulfilled this role. In 2005, Prince Charles, when he was still the heir, attended the funeral of John Paul II instead of Queen Elizabeth II.

Prince William will take this opportunity to continue showing his preparation to assume his future role as king. His last appearance at a major international event was at the reopening of Notre Dame in Paris, and he also represented the royal family during his meeting with Donald Trump.

The Dutch royal family also faces decisions

Meanwhile, the kings of the Netherlands, Willem-Alexander and Máxima, have also faced a similar decision. Although Queen Máxima is Catholic and has a close relationship with Pope Francis, the Dutch royal family has decided not to attend the funeral. The same day marks King's Day in the Netherlands, so Princess Beatrix will represent the Netherlands.

Other international figures, such as the President of the United States, Joe Biden, and the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, have already confirmed their attendance at the event. Representatives from European royal houses, such as those of Luxembourg and Norway, are also expected to arrive, although some members will not be present.

Charles III's sorrow over the death of Pope Francis

Although Charles III will not attend, he expressed his sorrow over Francis's passing in an official statement. The monarch highlighted the "devastating loss" that his departure represents and acknowledged his tireless dedication to the Church, humanity, and the planet. He also emphasized the profound influence Francis had on the lives of many people.

This statement comes after a close meeting between King Charles and Camilla with the Pope in March, during their trip to Italy. Despite not having had a formal meeting initially, the gathering at Casa Santa Marta has proven to be a significant moment for the British royal family.