A longstanding royal tradition explains why King Charles is not present at the funeral of Pope Francis today (April 26).
While world leaders and dignitaries have gathered in Vatican City to honor the late Pope, the British monarch is notably absent from the ceremony. Instead, the United Kingdom is being represented by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, his wife Victoria, and Prince William.
King Charles was the final monarch to meet Pope Francis before his passing, having visited him on April 9. However, it is Prince William who is attending the funeral on behalf of the King.
This decision aligns with a traditional royal guideline: reigning monarchs do not attend funerals. This unwritten rule has shaped royal engagements for years and continues to be observed today.
A similar scenario occurred in 2005 after the death of Pope John Paul II. At that time, Queen Elizabeth II did not attend the funeral either. Instead, then-Prince Charles went in her place. Notably, his wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles was postponed by a day to accommodate his trip to Vatican City.
Following the announcement of Pope Francis’ passing, King Charles released a heartfelt message expressing his sorrow:
“My wife and I were deeply saddened to hear of Pope Francis’ death. Although our hearts are heavy, we take comfort in knowing he was able to deliver his Easter message to the Church and the world he served so faithfully.”
He continued by praising the Pope’s legacy:
“He will be remembered for his empathy, his dedication to Church unity, and his unwavering commitment to shared values among all faiths. His view that caring for the environment is a sacred duty struck a deep chord with people globally. His compassion and advocacy for both humanity and the planet left a lasting impression on countless lives.”
Reflecting on their personal encounters, the King added:
“The Queen and I cherish the memories of our meetings with His Holiness, especially our most recent visit earlier this month. We extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the Church he led with devotion, and to the many around the world mourning the loss of this devoted servant of Christ.”