Duke of Edinburgh fulfils royal duty at inauguration Mass for Pope Leo XIV
Prince Edward has honoured a key royal responsibility on behalf of King Charles by attending the inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV, marking the start of the new pontiff’s papacy in Vatican City on Sunday.
The Duke of Edinburgh arrived in Italy in the early hours to represent the British monarchy at the landmark religious ceremony, which celebrated the appointment of the first North American Pope. The event, held in front of St Peter’s Basilica, featured traditional Catholic rites and symbolic acts honouring Saint Peter.
This significant duty, entrusted to Prince Edward by the King, follows the royal tradition of senior family members attending major papal events. Previously, Prince William represented the monarchy at the funeral of Pope Francis.
Edward joined an international gathering of dignitaries, including British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Other prominent attendees included Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Argentinian President Javier Milei, and members of the Spanish royal family.
High-profile global figures such as U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen were also present at the Vatican to witness the historic occasion.
Prince Edward’s role underscores his growing diplomatic presence within the royal family and reaffirms King Charles’s dedication to maintaining strong ties with religious and international institutions.
