The Buckingham Palace confirmed that a member of the royal family would represent King Charles at the highly anticipated inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV 18th May on the Square of St. Peter in the Vatican City. While many expected that the king or his heir, Prince William, would participate in an important event, the royal family made a remarkable change in their plans.
Instead, it will be Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, who will proceed to fulfill this significant duty.
The role of Prince Edward at the ceremony
A spokesman from the Buckingham Palace revealed that, according to people, that Prince Edward, 61, will participate in the ceremony instead of King Charles, 76, and Prince William, 42, who will not be present. This means a rare opportunity where the responsibility for representing the monarchy to a great religious event is handed over to Prince Edward and signals his growing significance in royal duties.
King Charles has already sent his sincere good wishes to the Pope Leo XIV, the first US Pope and 267. The Popes of the Roman Catholic Church, before the ceremony.
Previous royal contracts in the Vatican
It will not be the first time Royal represented the British monarchy for important events in the Vatican. Last month, Prince William attended the funeral of Pope Francis and entered the ceremony, which was usually attended by a heir to the throne, for King Charles. In 2005, King Charles represented his mother, Queen Elizabeth, at the funeral of Pope John Paul II. By continuing the tradition of the royal family of support of the Vatican in times of sadness.
Personal Homage of King Charles
King Charles, who met Pope Francis in early April, expressed deep sadness after the death of the beloved Pope 21. April. “My wife and I were most sad when they learned of the death of Pope Francis,” King Charles said in an official statement Buckingham Palace.
The king appreciated Pope Francis for his unwavering commitment to unity in the Church and his lifelong determination of the common causes of all people of faith. “His belief that the care of creation is an existential expression of faith in God has been so many around the world,” said King Charles, and he also recognized the Pope’s remarkable efforts to have a positive impact on humans and planet.
(Tagstotranslate) Prince Edward
