King Charles and Prince William Are Skipping Pope Leo XIV’s Inauguration — And Guess Who’s Packing His Bags Instead?

Buy Me A Coffee

Spoiler alert: It’s not Harry.
In a plot twist no one saw coming (but everyone kinda expected), King Charles and Prince William will not be making the pilgrimage to Vatican City to witness the swearing-in of Pope Leo XIV — aka the 267th spiritual CEO of the Catholic Church, and the first Pope to bring baseball and BBQ energy to the papacy (he’s American, guys!).

Instead, the Royal Family is sending their most reliable plus-one: Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh. Yes, he’s the one who’s been quietly doing his job while the rest of the family has been stealing headlines with Netflix deals and spare memoirs.

So… Why Aren’t Charles or Wills Going?
Tradition, darling. British monarchs don’t typically RSVP “Yes” to papal parties. Instead, they send someone royal-adjacent to wave politely, nod sagely, and avoid knocking over any incense burners. King Charles is sticking to the script, proving once again that “monarchy but make it consistent” is his personal brand.

See also  Kate Middleton Shares New Project - A Film About Mental Health

Don’t worry though — he did send his thoughts and prayers, which is the aristocratic version of liking someone’s Instagram post. According to Buckingham Palace, His Majesty and Queen Camilla sent Pope Leo a lovely handwritten note (probably in cursive, on the good stationery) congratulating him on the promotion.

The Man of the Hour: Prince Edward
At 61, Prince Edward is stepping up to the international stage — likely packing a tasteful pocket square and a cheat sheet of papal protocol. He’ll be representing his big bro at the May 18 ceremony in St. Peter’s Square, where he will presumably avoid tripping on red carpets and confusing cardinals for caterers.

This isn’t Edward’s first rodeo. He became the Duke of Edinburgh last year and has since been the family’s go-to guy for important but less paparazzi-covered events. Vatican ceremony? He’s there. Ribbon-cutting at a cheese museum? You bet.

See also  Kate Middleton Wants Her Kids to Be Fluent in Spanish

Meanwhile, Let’s Not Forget the Funerals (So Many Funerals)
Fun fact: Prince William did go to Pope Francis’ funeral back in April. As heir to the throne, it’s part of the job — show up, wear black, try not to cry on camera. Charles also did his heirly duty back in 2005 when he attended Pope John Paul II’s funeral — so committed, he even postponed his wedding to Camilla. That’s dedication and a potential rom-com plot.

And in case you were wondering: Queen Elizabeth never attended a pope’s funeral. Not once. Not even when four of them died on her watch. Instead, she sent various royals, likely with notes that said “So sorry, terribly busy reigning.”

See also  Kate & Will Take Wales: Baking, Chatting & Totally NOT Being Famous

The Palace Tribute: Deep Feelings, Royal Fonts
When Pope Francis passed away on April 21, King Charles released a heartfelt message, essentially saying, “We’re sad, but also, what a guy!” He praised the Pope’s compassion, his climate advocacy, and the fact that he still managed to send Easter greetings despite being very, very unwell.

Charles even got a little sentimental, recalling his last visit with Pope Francis just days before his passing. “We were greatly moved,” said the King, probably while sipping tea and gazing out a palace window, “to have seen him one last time.”

TL;DR?

  • King Charles and Prince William: Not attending Pope Leo XIV’s big day.
  • Prince Edward: Suiting up, showing up, and hopefully not spilling communion wine.
  • Queen Elizabeth: Still undefeated in the “Send Someone Else” category.
  • The Royals: Keeping traditions alive, one polite decline at a time.
King Charles and Prince William Are Skipping Pope Leo XIV’s Inauguration — And Guess Who’s Packing His Bags Instead?

Comments area

Sidebar

Must Read

Kim Kardashian Turns Heads at Odell Beckham Jr’s Birthday Amid Dating Rumors

Kim Kardashian caused quite a commotion at Odell Beckham...

Burberry’s London Fashion Show Was Basically a Celebrity Safari (With Fancier Coats)

LONDON—A stampede of A-list stars, fashion icons, and people-who-just-look-famous...

Pink Postpones The Next Four Shows On Her ‘Summer Carnival Tour’

Sad trombone noise for fans who thought they were...

President Of Iran Ebrahim Raisi Involved In Helicopter Crash, Currently Missing

Hold onto your turbans, because we’ve got some high-flying...

Dolly Parton Called a Dying Fan For Christmas

Hold onto your wigs, because Dolly Parton just sprinkled...

You Might Also Like

Harry Styles and Girlfriend Taylor Russell Spotted Swimming in London

Harry Styles turned Hampstead Heath into his personal tropical...

Anna Kendrick Slams Director Who Embarrassed Her In A Room Full Of Extras

Picture this: Anna Kendrick, the queen of quips and...

Ciara Gives Birth After Attending ‘The Color Purple’ Premiere

Ciara and Russell Wilson just expanded their team and...

Beyonce Tributes The Late Michaela DePrince Who Appeared In Beyonce’s Music Film ‘Lemonade’

Michaela DePrince, the ballerina who made Beyoncé’s 'Lemonade' look...