Prince William, representing King Charles III, and Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the UK Labour Party, were among the prominent figures attending the funeral of Pope Francis, which took place in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican.
The event, a somber occasion for global leaders and millions of Catholics worldwide, brought together more than 55 heads of state, 14 heads of government, and 12 reigning monarchs, all gathered to bid farewell to the late pontiff.
Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on Easter Monday, was laid to rest following an emotional service, where world leaders paid their respects.
Prince William, dressed in a dark blue suit and black tie, was seen in quiet reflection as he stood side by side with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
A moment of silence was observed in front of Pope Francis’ coffin before the funeral mass began. This marks a significant occasion for the Prince of Wales, as it was his first time representing the monarch—head of the Church of England—at an international funeral.
The funeral service, which took place under the watchful gaze of St Peter’s Basilica, was attended by high-profile figures from across the globe, including former US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and former US President Joe Biden.
The event served as both a religious ceremony and a diplomatic opportunity, with heads of state engaging in informal “brush-by” diplomacy. In particular, Prince William took the opportunity to speak briefly with Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, as well as French President Macron and his wife Brigitte.
The presence of Prince William, attending on behalf of his father, King Charles III, underscores the modern royal tradition of sending representatives to significant international events.
This marks a continuation of royal participation in papal funerals; the King, while still Prince of Wales, attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005 on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II.
Sir Keir Starmer, accompanied by his wife Victoria and Foreign Secretary David Lammy, also joined the service as part of the UK’s delegation.
Starmer’s presence highlights the UK’s commitment to honoring the global significance of the Pope’s passing and supporting the international diplomatic efforts surrounding the funeral.
Notably, Pope Francis’ death marks a pivotal moment for the Vatican and the Catholic world. His death on Easter Monday, following his long tenure as Pope, left a void that drew attention not only for its religious significance but for its geopolitical implications.
The funeral brought together figures from nations often at odds, providing a rare moment of cooperation and mutual respect in the midst of global tensions.
Among the notable interactions prior to the service, President Zelensky of Ukraine met with President Trump, as well as US envoy Steve Witkoff’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
These discussions, set against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine, underscored the delicate balance between diplomacy and conflict resolution that marked the event.
The Vatican has confirmed that approximately 200,000 people gathered in St Peter’s Square and surrounding areas to pay their respects to Pope Francis, a testament to the widespread impact of his leadership.
As global leaders offered their tributes, the funeral served as both a farewell to a beloved spiritual leader and a moment of reflection for the world stage.
