William pays respects to Pope on behalf of King at historic funeral
The Prince of Wales has paid his respects to the Pope on behalf of the King, as he gathered with world leaders for the historic funeral in St Peter’s Square.
William, side by side with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, stood for a moment’s silence in front of Pope Francis’s sealed wooden and zinc coffin in its place before the altar in St Peter’s Basilica.
William, dressed in a dark blue suit and black tie, then walked through the ornate basilica and down the steps into St Peter’s Square, before shaking hands with a member of the clergy and being guided to his seat.
He was carrying out his most significant duty so far as heir to the throne as he made the solo journey to the Vatican on Saturday.
It is the first time the prince has represented the monarch at an international funeral.
William spoke briefly to US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in the basilica on his way to the service.
He also spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron ahead of the mass.
William was seated in the third row, and placed seemingly unexpectedly next to the German chancellor Olaf Scholz.
But this element of the delicately arranged diplomacy of the previously announced seating plan – in order of precedence and alphabetically in French – appeared not to have been followed.
The prince was seen reading the order of service booklet containing an English translation during the ceremony.
In the row in front of William were Jordan’s King Abdullah and Queen Rania.
The US and French presidents and their wives were among those who, like William and Sir Keir, paused in front of the Pope’s coffin to pay their respects.
William made the journey on behalf of Charles, head of the Church of England, in honour of Pope Francis, who was head of the Roman Catholic Church.
It marks a major milestone in William’s role as a global statesman and future king.
The Prince and Princess of Wales’s official social media accounts later posted: “Today we remember and celebrate the life of Pope Francis.”
Kensington Palace also included a repost of Vatican footage showing key moments of the day’s proceedings.