The Prince of Wales led the solemn arrivals at St Peter's Square in Rome on Saturday morning, as world dignitaries and royal representatives paid their respects to the late Pope Francis.
He was joined by key figures from all over the globe, including US President Donald Trump, President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as the UK’s Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, in Vatican City to mourn the late pontiff.
Over 200 thousand people and some 170 delegations have gathered in front of St Peter's Basilica to commemorate the late Pope, who passed away on Easter Monday aged 88, following a battle with double pneumonia and a complex lung infection.
Attending the service without his wife, the Princess of Wales, Prince William, 42, looked smart in a sombre black suit. As heir to the throne and a future head of the Church of England, William is representing his father, King Charles, at the Vatican City funeral mass.
© GettyThe live-streamed service marks his biggest ever diplomatic outing on a global stage and is set to cement his position at the "heart of international relations."
Prince William takes centre stage
HELLO!'s Royal Editor Emily Nash explained why the Prince of Wales representing his father King Charles at the global event is incredibly significant
While Charles had enjoyed a private audience with the Pope a number of times, and attended the funeral of his predecessor Pope John Paul II's in 2005, William has actually never met the late pontiff.
Speaking on the latest episode of HELLO!'s A Right Royal Podcast, Emily said: "It's quite a strange concept to go to the funeral of someone you've never met before. But I think you have to remember that this is a massive diplomatic undertaking.
"It's a sign of our country's respect for the late Pope, and it's also about him being at the heart of international relations."
Clarifying the situation further, she added: "If you look at the last two papal funerals, certainly Pope John Paul II's, it was the then Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, who represented the Queen. The Queen never attended any papal funerals. So, this is really a continuation of recent tradition."
Sign of respect
The service will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Deacon of the College of Cardinals. The Prince of Wales is listed beside the Prince of Norway in the "order of precedence" for international attendees.
The British Government delegation includes Sir Keir Starmer, who will be accompanied by his wife Victoria, as well as Foreign Secretary David Lammy, UK ambassador to the Vatican Chris Trott, and Ailsa Terry, the Prime Minister’s private secretary for foreign affairs.
The attendance of the Prince of Wales and Sir Keir Starmer at Pope Francis’s funeral is also a show of respect for the Catholic faith in Britain.
© AFP via Getty ImagesCardinal Vincent Nichols said it would be "special" to have the UK Prime Minister among the world leaders and dignitaries present, adding that he had noted a "strengthened relationship between the faiths and government" in the years since the pandemic.
Discussing William’s attendance, he told PA: "It reflects exactly what his father did when Pope Benedict died. In fact, if you remember, Prince Charles postponed his marriage for a day in order to be at the funeral of Pope Benedict
"It's an expression of the respect in which the Catholic faith, and I think other religions, are held in Great Britain, in our country. It is my deepest wish that this is a country where faiths live together and work together and are respected and have their pride of place in the life of the nation. So, it’s not surprising that Prince William will be here, and it’s not surprising that Government representatives will be here."
Pope Francis: 5 surprising facts
© Getty Images1. Nightclub bouncer
When Pope Francis was a student, he worked as a nightclub bouncer in Argentina.
2. Real name
Pope Francis' real name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He chose the name Francis after Saint Francis of Assis, who was known for his ministry to the poor.
3. Tango dancer
He practised the milonga, an Argentine style of tango, in his youth. As Pope, his love of dance endured, and in 2014, he was honored with a mass tango on the Via della Conciliazione by St. Peter’s Square to mark his 78th birthday.
4. Austere lifestyle
The Pope opted not to live in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, instead residing in a Vatican guest house. Compared to his predecessors, he lived a humble lifestyle, even cooking his own meals!
5. Power napper
The secret to mastering the role of Pope was his strict daily routine, including a 45-minute nap after lunch. In a 2017 interview with EWTN Vatican, the late pontiff said: "I go to my room, take off my shoes, and lie down fully dressed. I get up feeling good — with a clear head and reinvigorated, as if it were morning again."
Best photos from Pope Francis' funeral - as it happens
© AFP via Getty ImagesPrince William leads royal arrivals
Prince William was pictured taking his seat in front of St Peter's Basilica. He was attending the service solo without his wife, the Princess of Wales.
Her absence, though noted by many royal watchers, follows both official protocols and family commitments, HELLO! understands. e, Family responsibilities also likely played a role in Kate's decision not to attend.
© Getty ImagesThe Prince of Wales takes his seat
HELLO! understands that Prince William had a short conversation with Donald Trump and First Lady Melania, and French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte upon arrival, further cementing his new focus on international diplomacy.
© AFP via Getty ImagesUS President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump
US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump looked sombre as they took their seats.
Trump released a statement following the Pope's death, taking to social media to do so.
"Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!," he wrote. He later confirmed that flags would be flown at half-mast in his honour.
© Getty ImagesPrincess Charlene of Monaco and Prince Albert II of Monaco
Princess Charlene of Monaco looked emotional as she joined Prince Albert II of Monaco at the funeral. As a Catholic Princess, Charlene was granted "the privilege of the white"when she met the Pope in January 2016, meaning she was allowed to dress in white.
It's a special tradition also permitted only to Queen Letizia of Spain, Queen Sofía of Spain, Queen Paola of Belgium, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, and Princess Marina of Naples.
© AFP via Getty ImagesSpain's King Felipe VI and Spain's Queen Letizia
King Felipe VI and Spain's Queen Letizia went arm-in-arm. The Spanish royals had a personal connection to the late pontiff: they were among the royals who attended Pope Francis’s inaugural mass in 2013.
In 2014, they enjoyed an audience with Pope Francis after becoming King and Queen. As a Catholic queen, Queen Letizia is one of only seven women in the world who have "le privilège du blanc" while meeting the Pope.
© Getty ImagesSir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria Starmer
Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria Starmer, who looked glamorous in a black hat and smart dress, were among the guests. The Prime Minister paid tribute to the Pope earlier this week, calling him an "extraordinary man".
Speaking on Prime Minister's Questions, hesaid: "The entire house will join me in paying tribute to his holiness Pope Francis, an extraordinary man. His lifelong work on fairness will leave a lasting legacy and people of all backgrounds and beliefs were inspired by his humility and his compassion, and I think the outpouring of grief and love that we’ve seen in the last two days or so shows the respect and admiration that he's held in around the world.
"I will attend his funeral on Saturday and pay tribute to his courage and to his leadership. May his holiness rest in peace."
© Getty ImagesFrance's President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron paid their respects to the late Pope. He led tributes to the religious leader, who was "always on the side of the most vulnerable and the most fragile".
The late pontiff was also honoured with special masses at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.
© dpa/picture alliance via Getty IKing Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden were pictured in sombre mourning attire, paying their respects to the head of the Catholic Church.
Queen Silvia, 81, was walking assisted by a crutch. She was first pictured using the walking aid while attending a funeral in Bavaria this week.
© Getty ImagesUkraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky was pictured arriving at the open-air service.
Zelensky and Trump have not met in person since a tense February meeting in the Oval Office.
© AFP via Getty ImagesFormer President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden
The former US President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden were some of the first to arrive for the late Pope Francis' funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square.
Adhering to the strict religious service dress code, Jill opted for a button-down black dress and a black lace veil, shielding her eyes behind sunglasses.
© Getty ImagesGrand Duchess of Luxembourg María Teresa Mestre Batista and Grand Duke of Luxembourg Henri
Grand Duchess of Luxembourg María Teresa Mestre Batista and Grand Duke of Luxembourg Henri were in attendance at the funeral.
Pope Francis died on April 21st at the age of 88. Born in Argentina as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he was the first Latin American and the first Jesuit to become Pope when elected in 2013.
© Getty ImagesQueen Rania and King Abdullah II of Jordan
Queen Rania and King Abdullah II of Jordan said their goodbyes to Pope Francis. The Jordanian queen is one of the seven women in the world accorded the "privilege du blanc', meaning she can wear white to meet the Pope.
The royal couple welcomed Pope Francis in May 2014, during a three-day visit to the Middle East to discuss stability in the region.
© dpa/picture alliance via Getty ICrown Prince Haakon of Norway and Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway
Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway, attend the funeral mass for the late Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square.
Mette-Marit sported a beautiful lace mourning veil, which is both symbolic and practical. They are typically crafted from lace, tulle, or fine netting material that allows a person to see through it.
The veil allows the mourner to conceal one's face, providing extra privacy for those who are upset or crying. For well-known figures such as the royals, the mourning veil also shields the person from photographers.
© Anadolu via Getty ImagesDelegations pictured arriving
Delegations pictured arriving for the funeral of Pope Francis at Vatican City. Over 200 thousand people are expected in Rome for the funeral.
© Anadolu via Getty ImagesSt Peter's Square
Pope Francis' funeral was attended by more than 150 delegations, including 54 heads of state and 12 reigning sovereigns, the Vatican confirmed, as well as thousands of faithful.
At 10am local time, the coffin was laid in the square in front of St Peter’s Basilica.
© Getty ImagesTrump and Melania in mourning
US First Lady Melania Trump was overcome with emotion during the service. The Trumps were seated next to Estonian president Alar Karis.
© Getty ImagesQueen Mary of Denmark flies under the radar
The Prince of Wales wasn't the only royal to make a solo appearance without their spouse. Queen Mary of Denmark (pictured front row, right) flew under the radar as she took part in the sombre occasion.
Her husband, King Frederik, flew to Japan on Wednesday for a solo three-day visit. It marks the Danish monarch's first visit to the East Asian country since his accession in January 2024.
© Getty ImagesPope Francis' coffin
Pallbearers were seen carrying the coffin as the world watched on. The coffin will be taken from St Peter’s Square to Santa Maria Maggiore, where he will be buried.
The route crosses the river Tiber and passes Piazza Venezia followed by the Colosseum. Francis left instructions asking to be buried in a simple underground tomb in Rome’s papal basilica of Saint Mary Major.
