A vast delegation of European royals have arrived in St Peter’s Square for the funeral of Pope Francis today, with Prince William representing his father King Charles at the ceremony.
Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, also known as the Prince of Venice, was the first to make his way to the St. Peter’s Square for the funeral service for the Argentine pontiff who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88.
He was quickly followed by Prince William and Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway – who were seated together – and royals from Spain, Sweden, Belgium and Monaco.
Vatican City has been transformed into a fortress as world leaders and dignitaries, including 12 reigning monarchs and 55 heads of state, joined hundreds of thousands of mourners in bidding farewell to the Pope.
The Prince of Wales arrived alone for the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, representing the British Royal Family
Princess Charlene of Monaco and Prince Albert arrive at the funeral of Pope Francis
Among the earliest European royals to arrive in Vatican City this morning were Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway
The Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg – MarIa Teresa Mestre Batista and Henri – arrive at the funeral
Along with William, 42, attending on behalf of Charles, King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, and Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco are all attending the funeral on Saturday.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands will also be notably absent on Saturday since they will be celebrating Netherlands Day – a national holiday that marks the birthday of the king.
The service began at 10am local time (9am BST) when the pope’s coffin was laid out in the square in front of St Peter’s Basilica, facing the crowds that have gathered to pay their respects to the religious leader.
The Argentine pontiff died aged 88 on Easter Monday after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest, bringing to an end his 12 years as the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church and setting in motion centuries-old traditions and rituals.
Prince William
The Prince of Wales arrived alone for the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, representing the British Royal Family.
Prince William joined Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to pay his respects at the coffin of the Pope, shortly before taking his seat beside Crown Prince Haakon of Norway.
William, 42, dressed smartly in a dark blue suit and black tie for the funeral, which has seen upwards of 160,000 people gather in St. Peter’s Square.
He is attending the service on behalf of King Charles, who led the tributes on Easter Monday after it was confirmed Pope Francis had died.
The King said he was ‘deeply saddened’ to learn of the Pope’s passing.
He said Francis, who was the first Latin American pope, would be ‘remembered for his compassion’ and had ‘profoundly touched the lives of so many’.
William, 42, dressed smartly in a dark blue suit and black tie for the funeral, which has seen upwards of 40,000 people gather in St. Peter’s Square
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway
Among the earliest European royals to arrive in Vatican City this morning were Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway.
The couple were, as tradition dictates, dressed all in black for the funeral of Pope Francis – which is due to begin at 10am local time (9am BST), with a host of royalty and world leaders in attendance.
The Norwegians are representing Crown Prince Haakon’s father, King Harald, at the service, which looks set to be an elaborate affair.
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway were, as tradition dictates, dressed all in black for the funeral of Pope Francis – which is due to begin at 10am local time (9am BST), with a host of royalty and world leaders in attendance
The Norwegians are representing Crown Prince Haakon’s father, King Harald, at the service, which looks set to be an elaborate affair
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway are shown to their seats
After the death of the Pope on Easter Monday, King Harald was quick to send a tribute.
He said: ‘Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals Your Eminence, I was deeply saddened to learn that His Holiness Pope Francis has passed away.
‘On behalf of myself and the people of Norway, I send you my deepfelt condolences. Pope Francis was highly respected and loved for being a passionate and clear voice for the most vulnerable in society.
‘My sympathy is with all Catholics in Norway and around the world on this sad occasion. Harald R.’
King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden
Early arrivals today also included King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden.
The couple were sombre as they were shown to their seats inside the Vatican, where a lengthy funeral service will take place this morning.
The royals issued a heartfelt statement after the death of the Pope earlier this week.
In a joint statement, they said: ‘The Queen and I remember Pope Francis with great respect and warmth.
Early arrivals today also included King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden
The couple were sombre as they were shown to their seats inside the Vatican, where a lengthy funeral service will take place this morning
‘By virtue of his natural charisma, deep humility, and unwavering defense of human dignity, the Pope was a significant leader. Many in our country particularly appreciated Pope Francis’ historic visit to Lund almost ten years ago.
‘We remember with warmth the ecumenical service when Lutherans and Catholics gathered under the arches of the cathedral to leave historical conflicts behind in a spirit of reconciliation and understanding.
‘The Pope also received the Queen at the Vatican several times to jointly shed light on the many injustices that the world’s children are forced to endure.
‘On this day, we look back with gratitude on the Pope’s commitment to the world’s vulnerable. Our thoughts go out to Catholics around the world who have lost a great leader and role model.’
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium
The Belgian King and Queen appeared sombre as they took their seats at the outdoor service in St Peter’s Square, Vatican City.
King Philippe, 64, and Queen Mathilde, 51, were the first foreign royals to confirm their attendance at the Pope’s funeral; as one of the last remaining Catholic monarchies, they enjoyed a close friendship with the religious leader over the years.
They paid tribute to Pope Francis in a poignant statement published on the place’s social media accounts after his death was confirmed by the Vatican on Monday, 21 April.
The Belgian King and Queen appeared sombre as they took their seats at the outdoor service in St Peter’s Square, Vatican City
‘It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Pope Francis,’ the message read. ‘He was a great man, close to the most humble and concerned about the world’s problems.
‘We share the grief of all Catholics around the world and all those who loved and appreciated him.
‘We also express our gratitude for the honour he bestowed upon us by visiting our country.’
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde received Pope Francis at the official royal residence, Laeken Castle, in Brussels last September.
The Pope’s visit was part of a four-day journey through Belgium and Luxembourg.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain
Spain’s King and Queen were among those who congregated in Rome today to pay their respects to the Pope after 12 years of service to the Church.
In the wake of the Pope’s death, Spain declared three days of mourning as King Felipe and Queen Letizia joined world leaders, celebrities, and their European counterparts in honouring his legacy.
The statement issued on behalf the King read: ‘His Holiness Pope Francis has testified throughout his pontificate to the importance of love of neighbor, brotherhood and social friendship for the world of our century.
Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia walk ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis
‘We will always be inspired by his conviction of the need to bring encouragement and comfort to the poorest and most needy and the importance he gave to dialogue and consensus to achieve a more just and supportive world.
‘In the face of pain for his loss, the Queen and the entire Royal Family join me to convey to the entire Catholic Church, our condolences and our affection, as well as our prayers for their eternal rest.’
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco
The Monegasque royals were also in attendance at St Peter’s today.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene, who regularly visited Vatican City during the Pope’s reign, honoured him as ‘the very great servant of mankind’ in their tribute message.
The statement, shared on social media, was accompanied by a photograph of Albert and Charlene with the Pope taken in 2022.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene, who regularly visited Vatican City during the Pope’s reign, honoured him as ‘the very great servant of mankind’ in their tribute message
Accompanying the post, Albert shared his ‘infinite sadness’ and ‘deep sorrow’ in the deeply personal statement that read: ‘May his unrelenting message of love, brotherhood, peace, faith, justice, mercy, compassion, and respect for our nature continue to nourish our thoughts and commitments to the service of the common good and radiate upon a world he will leave his mark on.’
The Pope’s death will be a particular blow for the royals as Albert’s first overseas trip as sovereign was to the funeral of Pope John II, while Charlene converted to Catholicism just prior to her marriage.
Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia, the Prince of Venice, was one of the first to arrive at St Peter’s Square ahead of the Pope’s funeral this morning
Members of the clergy stand by the coffin of Pope Francis, during his funeral at the Vatican
Clergy are seated for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday
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