King Charles III will not attend the funeral of Pope Francis, who died on April 21 after suffering a stroke. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday in Vatican City, where Prince William will represent the monarch.
The decision follows a longstanding royal tradition. Buckingham Palace confirmed that the King’s absence is in line with established protocol, which states that the British sovereign does not attend papal funerals. Queen Elizabeth II also followed this precedent, not attending the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005. At that time, Charles—then the Prince of Wales—represented her at the ceremony.
As Supreme Governor of the Church of England, the British monarch holds a symbolic religious role that may have influenced the decision to maintain this tradition. While the palace did not elaborate further, royal expert Katie Nicholl noted in Vanity Fair that protocol and precedence were key factors in the King’s decision.
A history of royal protocol and papal funerals
Although he will not attend the pontiff’s funeral, King Charles maintained a personal and respectful relationship with Pope Francis during the latter’s life and papacy. Earlier this month, during a royal visit to Italy, the King and Queen Camilla met with the Pope at Casa Santa Marta, the Pope’s residence. The meeting was among the Pope’s last with foreign dignitaries.
NEW: The Prince of Wales will on behalf of King Charles, attend the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, April 26 pic.twitter.com/eCeCipic9h
— Russell Myers (@rjmyers) April 22, 2025
Following the Pope’s death, King Charles released a statement expressing his deep sorrow and reflecting on their recent visit.
“My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis,” the statement reads. “Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry.”
A personal tribute from the King to Pope Francis
The King also paid tribute to the Pope’s enduring legacy, noting his advocacy for global unity and environmental care.
“His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others.”
Political leaders from around the globe, including the UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, will attend the funeral. In his statement, Starmer described the late Pope as a “courageous” leader who stood “for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten.”
The funeral will end a papacy defined by humility, reform, and a strong voice on global justice and climate change issues.
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