Prince William undertook a significant diplomatic role on Saturday, representing his father, King Charles, at the funeral of Pope Francis.
The late pontiff passed away at age 88 on Easter Monday following a stroke that led to cardiac arrest. William’s attendance at the funeral was announced on Tuesday, marking an important moment in his growing role as a global statesman and future king.
However, not all royal watchers were pleased with William following the ceremony.
Debate Over Attire
For the service, the Prince of Wales wore a blue suit — a choice that sparked criticism, given that black is traditionally considered the appropriate color for mourning.
One fan commented, “The blue suits bother me. Sorry, but isn’t there a standard for black suits?” Another added, “Wearing black was too difficult?” while a third simply wrote, “Blue suit? Disrespectful. Period.”
Lifestyle editor, Nichola Murphy, clarified that dark blue is not necessarily inappropriate for funerals. “Black has long been associated with mourning attire, but it is not the only acceptable color,” she explained. “Dark blue and grey are also commonly worn by those paying their respects. For instance, Prince George wore blue at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, so it’s not surprising to see the color at the Pope’s funeral as well.”
