Prince William 'reluctant to obey King Charles' orders' over Pope Francis' funeral
The Pope's funeral takes place in Rome on April 26Prince William was reportedly “reluctant to obey” his father King Charles’ orders to attend Pope Francis’ funeral.
The Pope’s funeral will take place in Rome, Italy, on Saturday, April 26. He died on Easter Monday at the age of 88, following a battle with double pneumonia.
The Prince of Wales, 42, will attend the funeral on behalf of the king – but it’s apparently something he was “reluctant” to do at first.
Prince William ‘reluctant to obey’ King Charles’ order over Pope Francis funeral
According to a piece in the MailOnline, sources claim the prince was “reluctant to obey the order to go to Rome on Saturday until his father pulled rank”.
Earlier this week, Kensington Palace confirmed that Prince William would attend the Pope’s funeral on behalf of King Charles.
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday (April 21). His death was announced just hours after he made a public appearance for an Easter blessing at St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday.
King Charles paid tribute to the Pope on Monday, saying he was “deeply saddened” by the news.
Why King Charles isn’t attending the Pope’s funeral
Despite meeting with the Pope earlier this month, the king won’t be attending his funeral.
He’s not allowed to travel to the Vatican to attend the funeral due to an old royal tradition.
Buckingham Palace has explained the reason why King Charles is not allowed to attend the Pope’s funeral.
They said he “will not travel to the Vatican, in accordance with protocol and precedence which dictates that the Sovereign does not attend funerals”.
This rule was followed in 2005 when the then Prince Charles attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II on behalf of his mother Queen Elizabeth II.
King Charles’ tribute to Pope Francis
On Easter Monday, Charles issued a statement following the news of the Pope’s death. The monarch said that he and Queen Camilla felt “deeply saddened” by the news.
His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion.
He continued: “Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry.
Read more: Pope Francis’ ‘special’ final meeting with King Charles and Queen Camilla as he dies aged 88
“His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith. And to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others.”
Royal Insider has contacted reps for Prince William for comment on this story.
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