Here’s the surprising reason why.

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King Charles III at the traditional Easter Sunday Mattins Service at Windsor Castle

Pope Francis died earlier this week and it was announced that Prince William will be going to his funeral as a representative for the royal family. Most people may be confused as to why the king won’t be in attendance, but according to royal expert Katie Nicholl, the king is not allowed to attend.

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Prince William and King Charles walking in Queen Elizabeth’s funeral procession

The king “will not travel to the Vatican, in accordance with protocol and precedence which dictates that the Sovereign does not attend funerals, Buckingham Palace has confirmed,” Nicholl writes for Vanity Fair.

This actually isn’t the first time something like this has happened. Cosmopolitan notes that when King Charles was prince, he attended Pope John Paul II’s funeral instead of the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2005.

King Charles and Queen Camilla did have a chance to briefly meet the Pope when they visited Italy about two weeks ago for their 20th wedding anniversary. The couple were said to have received a gift from the Pope.

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Queen Camilla, King Charles III, Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales

After the news broke that the pope passed away, the king released a statement on the royal family’s official X account.

“My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis,” the statement reads. “Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry.”

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Pope France at Portugal’s Catholic University in August 2023

The king continues, “His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others.”

Charles ended his post saying, “His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world. Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many.”

The U.K. Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, and U.S. President Donald Trump are among the other world leaders who will attend this Saturday’s services for His Holiness.

Read the original article on InStyle