Prince William steps in for King at Pope's funeral as reason for Charles' absence emerges

Prince the thousands of mourners at the on behalf of his father . The Prince of Wales, a future head of the Church of England, is in St Peter's Square in the Vatican with other royals from around the world, including 12 reigning monarchs as well as heads of state such as US president Donald Trump for the funeral mass of the Pontiff, who died earlier this week.

Before the service, William, who arrived in Rome this morning, was seen paying his respects and bowing his head at Francis' sealed wooden coffin alongside Prime Minister , shortly after President Trump and his wife Melania, also arrived for the service. The prince, with his hands clasped, solemnly bowed his head as he stood in reflection ahead of the funeral mass.

William, dressed in a dark suit, arrived by car for the open air ceremony and was seen walking down the steps into the square from St Peter's Basilica before shaking hands with a member of the clergy and being guided to his seat. William made the journey from the UK on the King’s Flight.

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Many have wondered why William, who didn't meet Pope Francis, is attending the funeral while his father, who is still undergoing cancer treatment, is not there, despite him meeting the Holy Father just 12 days before his death during a state visit to Italy.

However, the decision is in keeping with modern tradition that the heir to the throne represents the monarch at events such as funerals. For example, Charles as the Prince of Wales went to Pope John Paul II’s funeral, representing his mother the late Queen, in 2005. Kensington Palace said the decision on William’s attendance at the Pope’s funeral followed Government advice.

It is the first time the prince has attended an international funeral on behalf of the monarch - and it will be seen as a major milestone in William’s role as a global statesman and future king. In December last year, William represented his father at the official reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, where he met .

Other high profile royals at the funeral today include King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium and King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain. Also there were Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway as well as Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco.

Pope Francis died on Monday morning after suffering a stroke and heart failure, with his death sparking tributes from across the . The King expressed his “most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy” and praised Pope Francis’s compassion and tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith. The King said: "My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis.

"Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry. His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others.

"His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world. Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many. The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years and we were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month.

"We send our most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve and to the countless people around the world who, inspired by his life, will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ."