The funeral of Pope Francis took place on 26 April, drawing major dignitaries and royals from around the world to St. Peter’s Square to pay their respects.
Notably, among the European royal attendees, Prince William and Queen Mary stood out — both attending the ceremony alone, without their spouses, the Princess of Wales and King Frederik, respectively.
Prince William’s Solo Appearance
It was announced on Tuesday that Prince William would travel to the funeral on behalf of King Charles, marking an important moment in his evolution as a global statesman and future monarch.
Although many wondered why the Princess of Wales was absent, her decision to remain at home was in line with official royal protocol and family commitments. There is precedent for such arrangements; in 2005, King Charles, then Prince of Wales, attended Pope John Paul II’s funeral without his then-fiancée, Camilla Parker-Bowles.
Queen Mary’s Solo Attendance
Queen Mary’s participation was confirmed on Thursday, with a statement from the Danish Royal Court: “On Saturday, 26 April 2025, Her Majesty the Queen will attend the Funeral Mass for His Holiness Pope Francis, which will take place in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City.”
Typically, Queen Mary would have been accompanied by King Frederik, but the Danish monarch was engaged in official duties elsewhere, preventing him from attending.
