King Charles decides to send Prince Edward to represent him at new Pope's inauguration

Buckingham Palace said that Prince Edward, the youngest brother of King Charles, will represent the monarch at the inauguration of the new pope.

Pope Leo XIV’s will be formally installed as Pope at a mass in St Peter’s Square on Sunday.

According to a report, world leaders will gather for the ceremony on May 18, which will mark the official start of the Pope’s term.

King Charles sent a private message to the Pope on Friday, congratulating him on his election.

The Palace said that the king sent “most sincere good wishes for his Pontificate” on behalf of both himself and the Queen.

Prince William, the heir to the throne, was sent to attend the funeral of Pope Francis to represent King Charles on April 26, 2025.

In 2013, the Duke of Gloucester attended Pope Francis’s inauguration on behalf of Elizabeth II.