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Prince William has joined world leaders, royals and key members of the clergy for Pope Francis’ funeral.
The Prince of Wales, 42, arrived at the Vatican without his wife, Kate Middleton for the burial of the late pontiff, who died at age 88 on Monday.
The future king was dressed in a blue suit and black tie.
William is set to take a seat among world leaders such as President Trump, as well as alongside other royals like the King and Queen of Sweden and the Crown Prince and Princess of Norway at the upcoming funeral of Pope Francis.
Front row to the papal service in St. Peter’s Square will be filled with powerful archbishops, bishops and cardinals.
On Tuesday, the prince’s attendance was confirmed, with Kensington Palace revealing that he would be traveling to participate in the procession in place of his father, King Charles, who is battling cancer.
King Charles has been absent from various royal events over the past year due to his declining health, although it remains unclear if this was a contributing factor in his choice not to attend the funeral.
Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, met with the pope two weeks ago during a 3-day trip to Italy, and were some of the last world leaders to have an audience with the holy leader before his death.
During their recent visit on April 9, the monarch told Pope Francis that he and Camilla were praying for his health — which had recently been marred 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 20th wedding anniversary. Palace officials called it a “very significant and special moment.”
Following the pontiff’s death, Charles released a heartfelt statement about the “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.
His death came just one day after US Vice President JD Vance visited him at his residence in Casa Santa Marta at the Vatican.
Later that day, Francis delegated the saying of Easter Mass to Cardinal Angelo Comastri.
After the Mass concluded, the pope took the popemobile into St. Peter’s Square for the first time since his health battle as chants of “Viva il Papa,” meaning “Long live the pope,” erupted from the 35,000-strong crowd.
On March 6, the pontiff’s voice was heard for the first time since his weeks-long hospital stay. In an audio message, he thanked well-wishers before saying, “I am with you from here.”
William, for his part, will next week travel to a remote Scottish island with his wife, Kate Middleton, to celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary.
The two-day getaway, slated for April 29 and 30, will be doubly special for the couple, as they first met in Scotland while studying at the University of St Andrews in Fife.