Prince William arrives at Pope Francis’ funeral at the Vatican

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Prince William has joined world leaders, royals and key members of the clergy for Pope Francis’ funeral.

The Prince of Wales, 42, arrived at the Vatican without his wife, Kate Middleton for the burial of the late pontiff, who died at age 88 on Monday.

The future king was dressed in a blue suit and black tie.

Prince Williams arrives at Pope Francis’ funeral in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025. AP
The future king was dressed in a blue suit and black tie. REUTERS
Prince William walks to his seat among the other foreign dignitaries at the Vatican. Getty Images

William is expected to sit behind world leaders — including President Trump — and alongside fellow royals the King and Queen of Sweden and Crown Prince and Princess of Norway during Pope Francis’ funeral.

Front row to the papal service in St. Peter’s Square will be filled with powerful archbishops, bishops and cardinals.

The prince confirmed his attendance Tuesday, with Kensington Palace announcing that he was going to be flying for the procession in place of his cancer-stricken father, King Charles.

Pope Francis’ coffin is carried out of St. Peter’s Basilica to St. Peter’s Square at the start of the funeral. REUTERS
King Charles and Queen Camilla meet with Pope Francis at the Casa Santa Marta at the Vatican on April 9, 2025. ABACA/Shutterstock

The king’s ailing health has kept him from attending several royal functions in the last year, though it is unclear if it played any factor in his decision not to attend the funeral.

Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, met with the pope two weeks ago during a 3-day trip to Italy, and were some of the last world leaders to have an audience with the holy leader before his death.

During their recent visit on April 9, the monarch told Pope Francis that he and Camilla were praying for his health — which had recently been marred by pneumonia — while the pope said he was doing the same for the king.

Pope Francis’ body lies in state inside St. Peter’s Basilica as mourners pay their final respects at the Vatican on April 25, 2025. AP

The visit consisted of a 20-minute private audience and coincided with Charles and Camilla’s 20th wedding anniversary. Palace officials called it a “very significant and special moment.”

Following the pontiff’s death, Charles released a heartfelt statement about the “devastating loss,” and ordered flags at royal residences flown at half-staff.

Francis died of a stroke early Monday after greeting crowds for Easter the day before. He was 88.

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His death came just one day after US Vice President JD Vance visited him at his residence in Casa Santa Marta at the Vatican.

Later that day, Francis delegated the saying of Easter Mass to Cardinal Angelo Comastri.

After the Mass concluded, the pope took the popemobile into St. Peter’s Square for the first time since his health battle as chants of “Viva il Papa,” meaning “Long live the pope,” erupted from the 35,000-strong crowd.

On March 6, the pontiff’s voice was heard for the first time since his weeks-long hospital stay. In an audio message, he thanked well-wishers before saying, “I am with you from here.”

Thousands of faithful converge on Pope Francis’ body inside St. Peter’s Basilica. AP

William, for his part, will next week travel to a remote Scottish island with his wife, Kate Middleton, to celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary.

The two-day getaway, slated for April 29 and 30, will be doubly special for the couple, as they first met in Scotland while studying at the University of St Andrews in Fife.

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