Prince William faced backlash for wearing a navy blue suit to Pope Francis\u2019 funeral at the Vatican, with some royal fans calling his choice \u201cdisrespectful.\u201d Although he was representing King Charles, critics questioned why he didn\u2019t wear traditional black.<\/p>\n
Despite the controversy, royal experts defended his presence. Historian Hugo Vickers explained that heirs, not reigning monarchs, typically attend such events. William had previously attended Pope John Paul II\u2019s funeral in 2005 under similar protocol. Vickers and others praised William\u2019s demeanor and composure during the solemn occasion, calling him the right choice to represent the Royal Family.<\/p>\n
Body language expert Judi James noted that William handled the role gracefully, appearing calm and respectful. His actions at the funeral, including a subtle bow at the Pope\u2019s coffin, were interpreted as thoughtful and appropriate.<\/p>\n
While some criticized his navy suit, others, including a Vatican insider, defended the choice, stating there is no strict dress code for papal funerals. In fact, royals have worn blue suits at funerals before, including William himself at Sir Bobby Charlton\u2019s funeral in 2023.<\/p>\n
Historian Alexander Larman also highlighted that William, unlike his father, shows little public interest in religion, suggesting the funeral may have been a \u201cwake-up call\u201d about faith\u2019s global importance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"