Prince William to represent King Charles at Pope Francis funeral

Prince the funeral of, it has been confirmed. Kensington Palace announced that the Prince of Wales will travel to the Vatican to be at the service at the weekend on . Pope Francis will be buried on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter's Basilica.

The decision for the Prince of Wales to attend is in keeping with modern tradition and will be seen as a major milestone in William’s role as a global statesman and future king. Charles as the Prince of Wales went to , representing his mother the in 2005.

Queen Elizabeth II never attended the funeral of a pontiff, the head of the Roman Catholic Church. Kensington Palace said: "The Prince of Wales will attend the funeral of Pope Francis, on behalf of His Majesty The King." Kensington Palace said the decision on William’s attendance follows Government advice. William, a future head of the Church of England, did not meet Pope Francis.

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Pope Francis died on Monday morning after suffering a stroke and heart failure, with his death sparking tributes from across the . Prime Minister will is laid to rest following a ceremony on Saturday morning. US President has also announced his intention to be there.

Yesterday, the " following the death of Pope Francis. Charles and Camilla had a moving meeting with the ailing 88-year-old while he was convalescing just 12 days ago. The couple's historic state visit to the Vatican in early April was cancelled because of the Pope’s poor health, but they managed to visit the head of the Roman Catholic Church privately during their trip to Italy.

The King, in an official message released following the news of the pontiff’s death on Monday, said he and Camilla were "most deeply saddened". He praised Pope Francis for his 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."

Twenty years ago, Charles and Camilla’s marriage ceremony was postponed with just four days to go following the death of Pope John Paul II. The then-Prince of Wales put duty first and his wedding date was moved from April 8 to April 9 2005 because it clashed with the pope’s funeral.

The King is Supreme Governor of the Church of England. The role dates back to Henry VIII, who named himself Supreme Head of the Church of England after he was excommunicated by the pope, Pope Paul III, and broke from the Catholic Church in the 16th century to marry Anne Boleyn.

In the coming weeks, the conclave to elect a new pope convenes, with the College of Cardinals locked inside the the Sistine Chapel to vote in secret four times a day until a candidate receives a two-thirds majority, with a white smoke signal released through a chimney to announce a pope has been chosen.