Prince William - who as heir to the throne is also the future head of the Church of England - will represent his father at Pope Francis's funeral mass on Saturday.
This is in keeping with recent tradition.
King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, travelled to Pope John Paul II's funeral on behalf of his Queen Elizabeth II in 2005.
His attendance caused the date of his wedding to Camilla be delayed.
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Bishop James Harvey greets Charles in St Peter's Square ahead of the funeral of Pope John Paul II
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Charles converses with former Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe in the congregation
