King Charles will not be attending Pope Francis’s funeral on Saturday, with Prince William instead set to attend on his father’s behalf. The funeral of the Pope, who died on April 21 after a stroke, will take place in Vatican City on Saturday. While the King, 76, had a good relationship with the Pope, there is believed to be one key reason why he will not attend the funeral.

The monarch is following a precedent set by his late mother Queen Elizabeth II. This is because when the late Queen was monarch, she never attended the funeral of a pontiff, the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

This was the case in 2005 at Pope John Paul II’s funeral, which Charles – who was The Prince of Wales at the time – attended on Queen Elizabeth II’s behalf.

This could be because British monarchs serve as Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

While the King is not attending the Pope’s funeral, he will no doubt be paying his respects from the UK.

The monarch last saw the pope just weeks ago on a state visit to Italy with Queen Camilla.

Their meeting was held in private, with a senior palace official describing it as a “very significant and special moment.” The King had also met Pope Francis on other occasions previously.

It is believed that Prince William will be the only British royal attending the funeral on Saturday.

Princess Kate is not expected to accompany her husband and will instead stay at home in Windsor with Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, seven.