Prince William to Attend Pope Francis' Funeral as Royals Reflect on Decades-Long Friendship

Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88, dedicated more than a decade to fostering unity within the Catholic Church and nurturing relationships with global leaders—including the British royal family.

Prince William is set to represent the royals at the upcoming funeral, honoring the deep connection between the Vatican and Buckingham Palace. Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner shared that royal residences are lowering their flags to half-mast, and even the iconic Changing of the Guard will feature somber music in tribute. The British do know how to put on a world-class display of mourning—no one does pageantry with quite the same flair.

King Charles III, who attended Pope John Paul II's funeral as Prince of Wales in 2005, expressed his "profound sympathy" following news of Pope Francis’ passing. In a statement, His Majesty reflected on Pope Francis’ compassion, emphasis on unity, and tireless work for faith and goodwill. Charles and Queen Camilla remembered their meetings with the Pope fondly, adding a personal note to their condolences for the global community mourning this loss.

The Vatican announced the Pope's death early Monday, with Cardinal Kevin Farrell sharing that Francis passed away at 7:35 a.m. and praising his lifelong service to the Church and his devotion to uplifting the most marginalized.

The connection between the British royals and Pope Francis stretches back over a decade. Queen Elizabeth II first visited Francis in 2014, and following Prince Philip's death in 2021, the Pope sent heartfelt condolences and praised Philip’s commitment to service and family. The Vatican’s messages have consistently stressed unity, hope, and peace—even in the face of loss.

In 2022, Pope Francis congratulated Queen Elizabeth on her Platinum Jubilee, sending warm wishes for unity and prosperity. The friendship continued into 2025, with Charles and Camilla making a recent private visit to the Vatican. Both sides exchanged kind words and best wishes—proof that even centuries-old religious divisions can be softened by shared respect and a bit of royal charm.

Charles, now head of the Church of England, has prioritized building bridges across faiths since ascending the throne. His recent efforts, including meetings with the Pope, show a commitment to healing divides that date back to the days of Henry VIII. Apparently, reconciliation is now very much in royal fashion.