Prince William joined the leading members of the world’s leaders, royals and clergy for Pope Francis’ funeral.
The 42-year-old Prince of Wales arrived at the Vatican without his wife, Kate Middleton, for the burial of the late Pontife, who died Monday at the age of 88.
The future king wore a blue suit and a black tie.
William is expected to sit behind world leaders, including President Trump. It is also expected to sit with the King and Queen of Sweden, the Crown Prince and Princess of Norway and the Royal Royal Family during Pope Francis’ funeral.
The front row to the Pope service at St. Peter’s Square is filled with powerful archbishops, bishops and cardinals.
The prince confirmed his attendance on Tuesday, and Kensington Palace announced that he would fly for the procession in place of his cancer-hit father, King Charles.
The King’s sick health prevented him from attending several royal functions last year, but it is unclear whether he fulfilled the factor in his decision not to attend funerals.
Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, met with the Pope on a three-day trip to Italy two weeks ago, and were some of the last world leaders with a sacred leader and audience before his death.
During a recent visit on April 9th, the monarch told Pope Francis that he and Camila were praying for his health, who had been suffering from pneumonia recently, but the Pope said he was doing the same for the king.
The visit consisted of a 20-minute private audience, coinciding with Charles and Camilla’s wedding anniversary. Palace officials called it “a very important and special moment.”
After the Pope’s death, Charles issued a heartfelt statement on “devastating losses” and ordered the flag at the royal residence that flew with half-staff.
Francis died of a stroke early Monday after greeting the crowd for Easter the day before. He was 88 years old.
His death came one day after us Vice President JD Vance visited him at his residence at Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican.
Later that day, Francis delegated the proverb for Easter Mass to Cardinal Angelo Comastori.
After the Mass was over, the Popemovie took Popemovie to St. Peters Square for the first time from a health war as a chant of “Viva Il Papa.”
On March 6th, the Pope’s voice was heard for the first time since his weeks in hospital. In the audio message, he thanked a well-known person before saying, “I’m with you from here.”
William will celebrate his 14th wedding anniversary next week with his wife Kate Middleton on a faraway Scottish island.
The two-day holiday scheduled for April 29th and 30th is doubly special for the couple as they first met in Scotland while studying at St Andrews University in Fife.
