That’s why Kate Middleton did not accompany Prince William to the funeral of Pope Francis

Last Saturday the prince William participated alone, representing the sovereign father Charles III, in the funeral of Pope Francis. At his side His wife Kate Middleton wasn’t there. An absence that was noticed by everyone, especially since many of the famous people who participated in the ceremony were accompanied by their respective consorts. For example alongside Donald Trump was melaniaAnd Wife Jill was with Joe Biden. How come, many wondered, Kate Middleton skipped the funeral? Second Page Sixthe explanation is simple: “The sweet half of a member of the British royal family is not forced to attend the funeral of a Pope”. And in fact, in 2005, the then Prince Charles He went to the funeral of Pope John Paul II alone, despite his wedding with Camilla Parker Bowles were scheduled for that day (but postponed to the next day “as a sign of respect”).

Middleton, who completed the treatments against cancer last September, and only last January announced that the disease is in remission, “continues to be cautious about the public events to participate in”. So much so that he even skipped the traditional Easter Mass with the Royal Family, preferring to remain ad Amner Hall, the country estate in Norfolk, with her husband William and their three children George, Charlotte and Louis. After the long and very hard battle against cancer, for Kate – as a real source had revealed in the days People – The family “It is more important than anything else». Also of real duties. And in fact Kate will make its first public appearance after five weeks only next Wednesday, for a two -day visit – with William – in the Scottish islands.

William, for his part, participated in the funeral of Pope Francis representing his father Carlo III because – based on the protocol and rules of Buckingham Palace – The British monarch in office, head of the Anglican Church, cannot attend the funeral of a pontiffhead of the Roman Catholic Church. And in fact the Queen Elizabeth He never participated in any funeral of a pontiff. Queen Elizabeth had established a relationship of great respect and admiration with All the popes she met: From Pius XII, who died in 1951, when he was still princess, to Pope Bergoglio, met together with Filippo in Rome in 2014. And at Corte they tell how Malavoglia accepted the fact of not being able to be present at the last greeting. Yet in the days of the funeral the sovereign could only delete his commitments and go to the church or in the chapel of the residence Royal where he was to celebrate a ritual dedicated to the Pope his friend.

King Charles, who only a few weeks ago together with his wife he met Francesco in Rome, following in the footsteps of his mother he respected the protocol. However, with Camilla, immediately after Bergoglio’s death he released a message of condolence: «My wife and I are deeply grieved», The sovereigns wrote. Adding: “His holiness will be remembered for his compassion, devotion to the unity of the Church and the tireless commitment shown in the causes common to every faith, as well as towards all those who work to ensure the well -being of others (…) with his work and the support against the peoples and the planet, his holiness has managed to touch the lives of many people”.