King Charles III and Prince William will not be attending the inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican.
Despite not disclosing the reason, they did reveal that Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, has been appointed by Buckingham Palace to represent the British royal family at the ceremony, which will take place on May 18 in St. Peter’s Square.
Edward, who was granted the title of Duke of Edinburgh in 2023, will serve as the British monarch’s representative at the event, continuing the tradition of British royal participation in papal ceremonies.
In 2013, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attended the inauguration mass of Pope Francis, while in 2005, the late Prince Philip represented Queen Elizabeth II at the inauguration of Pope Benedict XVI.
Additionally, in April of this year, Prince William, the heir to the throne, attended Pope Francis’ funeral in the Vatican, fulfilling a responsibility that typically falls to the future monarch.
Meanwhile, King Charles III, aged 76, has extended his congratulations to the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church and the first of American origin.
According to Buckingham Palace, the British monarch sent a private message expressing his best wishes on behalf of himself and Queen Camila.