Topics: Pope Francis, Royal Family, Fashion, Prince William
Prince William’s attire at the funeral for Pope Francis attracted attention but perhaps not for the intended reason.
The 42-year-old Prince of Wales attended the funeral on Saturday along with world leaders, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Donald Trump and Emmannuel Macron. King Charles did not attend.
Unfortunately, some royal followers were left unimpressed with William’s choice of suit for the funeral.
The father-of-three opted for a blue suit, rather than black, which is considered tradition for a formal occasion.
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However, William was not the only guest who chose to wear a blue suit, as did Donald Trump. The 78-year-old US president paired his blue suit with a blue tie. Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy wore black military attire instead of a formal suit.
“Prince William looked odd with a blue suit and black tie,” one social media user complained. “Trump completely ignored the black tie instructions.”
“What was Prince William thinking about by not wearing a black suit, too,” another X user complained. “If there’s one thing you’d think the Royals would be red hot on is correct protocol. All he had to do was turn up & look the part. He dropped the ball today.”
“Black tie with a blue suit?” a confused viewer wrote on X.
However, the dress code for the funeral, which took place at St. Peter's Square in Vatican City, mandated that men wear a dark suit, paired with a black tie and a black button on the left lapel.
Fans came to the defence of William by referring back to the dress code on social media.
"Kings and Princes commonly wear a dark blue suit and black tie," one person wrote.
"The Prince of Wales is NOT Catholic. HIS FATHER, the King, is the head of the Church of England. He wears that colour to signify that fact. What is Trump is saying, do you think?" another added.
Trump also sparked anger regarding his attire. "Trump did not even have the decency to wear a black tie, and he wore a blue suit," one viewer tweeted. "No respect!!”
Women were mandated to wear long black dresses, gloves and a veil.
Pope Francis chose a more modest farewell, breaking with tradition for a simpler funeral. He was laid to rest in a plain wooden coffin lined with zinc, rather than the customary three-tiered tapered caskets made of cypress, lead, and elm.
Following the funeral in the square, Pope Francis’s remains were taken through the streets of Rome in another break with tradition, as he was transported to the basilica of Saint Mary Major, as per his instructions.
Before he died, Pope Francis mapped out his wishes for a 'simple' tomb 'in the ground' - but instead of his name 'Francis', he wanted it to bear only the inscription 'Franciscus' - an ode to his papal name which is in honour of St Francis of Assisi.
In the testament, he wrote: "As I sense the approaching twilight of my earthly life, and with firm hope in eternal life, I wish to set out my final wishes solely regarding the place of my burial.
"... I ask that my tomb be prepared in the burial niche in the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the Basilica, as shown in the attached plan.
"The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.
"The cost of preparing the burial will be covered by a sum provided by a benefactor, which I have arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major."
