Prince William will travel to Vatican City over the weekend to represent the British royal family at the funeral of Pope Francis.
The leader of the Catholic Church will be laid to rest on Saturday, April 26, in a ceremony attended by foreign dignitaries, religious leaders, royalty and more. The Prince of Wales, 42, will attend the funeral on behalf of his father, King Charles.
Similarly, Charles attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005 when he was heir to the throne, representing Queen Elizabeth. In fact, the pope’s funeral pushed back his wedding to Queen Camilla by one day so he and others could attend.
No one from the British royal family attended the 2023 funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Because he had already retired as head of the Catholic Church, he was not granted a state funeral.
The announcement of Prince William’s attendance at the funeral is the latest instance of the Prince of Wales taking over more senior royal duties as heir. He similarly represented the British monarchy at the reopening of the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Dec. 7, attending alongside world leaders such as President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and more.
From left: King Charles, Queen Camilla and Pope Francis meet on April 9, 2025 in Vatican City.
Vatican via Getty
King Charles, 76, and Queen Camilla, 77, met with Pope Francis just 12 days before he died, on April 9. The royal couple was on a state visit to Italy at the time, and although their original plans to meet with the church leader were canceled due to his recent health setbacks, they were able to privately meet. Gifts were exchanged during the 20-minute meeting, and the Pope wished the King and Queen a happy 20th wedding anniversary, which fell on the same day as their meeting.
Following the news of the pontiff’s death on Easter Monday, the King released an official statement via Buckingham Palace.
“My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis,” the monarch said. “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.”
“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,” King Charles continued his tribute. “His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world. Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many.”
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The British monarch also recalled his numerous visits to Pope Francis throughout the years, adding, “We were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month.” The King and Queen’s first planned audience with His Holiness was called off due to the Pope’s health struggles. Weeks earlier, he’d spent 28 days in the hospital amid treatment for double pneumonia.
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