King Charles entrusts his son with honouring Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy on historic occasion
Prince William is attending the funeral of Pope Francis today in Vatican City, representing King Charles and the British royal family.
According to Express, the Prince of Wales is listed alongside Prince Haakon of Norway in the order of precedence for influential foreign attendees. Both are recognised in a special category as crown princes, ahead of representatives from the Andorran government.
Several senior UK figures will also be present, including Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, UK ambassador to the Vatican Chris Trott, and Alisa Terry, the Prime Minister’s private secretary for foreign affairs.
King Charles has tasked his son with this significant duty, continuing a tradition established during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. When Charles was Prince of Wales, he attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005 on behalf of his mother.
Although Queen Elizabeth II never personally attended papal funerals, the custom of royal representation has become a valued gesture of respect — one that King Charles and Prince William are determined to maintain.
