As the Vatican prepares for Pope Francis’ funeral, Kensington Palace has confirmed that Prince William will represent King Charles at the ceremony.

Reports have circulated suggesting that King Charles is not permitted to attend the funeral, which is set for Saturday, April 26.

Standing in on behalf of his father, Prince William will be among a host of global leaders, including US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Pope Francis Dies at 88, Leaving a Grieving World Behind
Prince William will attend the funeral of the late Bishop of Rome, held at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. The Pope’s body is currently lying in state there, with thousands of mourners arriving to pay their final respects.

Royal expert Katie Nicholl explained that King Charles cannot attend, even if he wanted to
Due to long-standing protocol, the British monarch will not travel to the Vatican. According to Vanity Fair’s Katie Nicholl, “the Sovereign does not attend funerals” as part of royal “protocol and precedence.”

Charles had to postpone his wedding in 2005 to attend Pope John Paul II’s funeral
Back then, he went in place of Queen Elizabeth II, delaying his marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles (now Queen Camilla) to pay his respects. Royal historian Rory Cormac explained that the tradition of monarchs not attending funerals has likely evolved over time and become the norm.

“The Queen didn’t go to other papal funerals, but this isn’t some sort of snub to Catholicism; she didn’t attend state funerals of US presidents either (sending a representative on her behalf). I don’t know when or how it started, she was pregnant at JFK’s funeral early on in her reign, sending Prince Philip in her place,” Rory told Bored Panda in an email.

“Once you haven’t gone to one, it’s hard to go to others,” added Cormac, co-author of The Secret Royals: Spying and the Crown from Victoria to Diana.

Some have seen Prince William’s role as symbolic
Rory Cormac, who specializes in international relations and covert statecraft, emphasized that Prince William’s attendance is part of his responsibilities as heir to the throne.