Many dignitaries attended Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday, April 26, but not Kate Middleton. Prince William arrived alone, quickly greeting the other major world leaders invited. But there seems to be an explanation for all this.
According to Page Six, in the British royal family couples are not obliged to attend funerals as a duo. In 2005, for example, Prince Charles went alone to the funeral of Pope John Paul II, even though he was due to marry Camilla Parker Bowles the day after.
The Princess of Wales is coming off a very complicated year. She completed her cancer treatment last September, and still has to be cautious, avoiding repeated trips that can easily tire her out. In fact, Kate Middleton is preparing to celebrate 14 years of marriage to Prince William during a two-day visit to the Isle of Mull, off the west coast of Scotland, to meet craftsmen, farmers and local residents.
King Charles was not in Rome this weekend either. Indeed, protocol and the rule of precedence at Buckingham Palace dictate that the reigning monarch should not attend the funeral. The sovereign had met Pope Francis during a state visit to Italy at the beginning of April. In a statement, he recalled his “great compassion” and “concern for the unity of the church.”
“His conviction that caring for creation is an existential expression of faith in God has resonated with many people around the world,” the king said, before adding, “Through his work and concern for people and the planet, he has profoundly touched the lives of so many.”
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This story was first published in Vanity Fair France.
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