Prince William to attend Pope Francis’ funeral, representing King Charles

Prince William will attend Pope Francis’ funeral Saturday in place of his father, King Charles.

The Prince of Wales will be representing his father at the Vatican funeral, Kensington Palace announced.

King Charles and Queen Camilla met with the pope two weeks ago during a trip to Italy, and were some of the last world leaders to have an audience with the holy leader before his death on Monday, according to the BBC.

The King’s health – an ongoing battle with cancer – has kept him from some royal functions in the last year, though it is unclear if it played any factor in his decision not to attend the funeral.

During the recent visit on April 9, King Charles told the pope he and Camilla were praying for his health – which had recently been marked by pneumonia – while the pope said he was doing the same for the king.

The visit consisted of a 20-minute private audience and coincided with Charles and Camilla’s 20^th wedding anniversary, and Palace officials called it a “very significant and special moment.”

Charles called the death of Pope Francis a “devastating loss,” and ordered flags at royal residences flown at half-staff.

Francis died of a stroke early Monday after greeting crowds for Easter the day before. He was 88.

Prince William will be joined at the Vatican by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

It is just the latest high-profile meeting for the future king. 

Last year, he met with newly-elected President Trump in France during the reopening of Notre Dame.