Prince William criticized for wearing blue suit to Pope Francis’ funeral – was it really disrespectful?
The future king was praised for his respectful demeanor—but his outfit choice sparked debate online
Prince William represented the British Royal Family at Pope Francis’ funeral in the Vatican—but his navy blue suit, not his actions, drew criticism from royal watchers.
On April 26, St. Peter’s Square was filled with mourners paying their final respects to Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21. Leaders from around the world, including royalty from Europe, came to honor the late pontiff. Representing the United Kingdom was Prince William, stepping in for King Charles III, who continues to deal with health issues following his cancer diagnosis.
Though William had never met Pope Francis personally, he took on the solemn task of representing the Crown. According to royal protocol, it’s not unusual for the heir—rather than the monarch—to attend funerals of major figures. Prince Charles, for example, represented Queen Elizabeth II at Pope John Paul II’s funeral in 2005.
Royal expert Hugo Vickers called William “absolutely the right guy” to attend the Vatican ceremony. Many praised how he carried himself during the emotional service.
Body language analyst Judi James told Express that William’s quiet composure showed leadership without drawing attention. “His height singles him out,” she said, “but his body language was low-key.” James described his actions at the coffin—bowing his head slightly and moving respectfully—as “elegantly, politely drama-free.”
It was a performance that reinforced William’s image as a steady future monarch, quietly stepping into more responsibility as his father recovers.
But his outfit caused a stir online
Despite praise for his conduct, William’s choice of clothing became a hot topic. He wore a navy blue suit with a black tie—something many expected would be black from head to toe. Critics flooded social media with comments calling the blue suit “disrespectful.”
“The blue suits bother me. Sorry, but isn’t there a standard for black suits?” one commenter asked. Another wrote simply: “Disrespectful. Period.”
Yet not everyone agreed. Hello Magazine lifestyle editor Nichola Murphy noted that black is traditional for funerals but not the only acceptable option. Vatican insiders confirmed that there is no formal dress code for such events, adding that guests wore what they felt was appropriate.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time royals have worn blue to a funeral. William wore a similar outfit at football legend Sir Bobby Charlton’s funeral in 2023. His son, Prince George, also wore a navy suit at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
Furthermore, protocol outlined by Il Messaggero, an Italian newspaper, emphasizes dark suits—not strictly black ones—for men attending papal funerals. William’s outfit, though not traditional, still fell within acceptable guidelines.
William’s relationship with religion
Beyond fashion choices, William’s presence at the funeral stirred a broader conversation about his views on faith. Unlike his father, King Charles—who has shown deep interest in religious matters—William has rarely spoken publicly about religion.
Royal historian Alexander Larman told GB News that this moment could serve as a “wake-up call” for William, encouraging him to reflect on the importance of faith in public life. “He has never shown any kind of expression of faith,” Larman said. “This might be an opportunity for him to think, ‘I see how important religion is to people.’”
While the blue suit debate caught the internet’s attention, it arguably misses the bigger picture. Prince William fulfilled his duty with dignity and grace, representing his country and family in a global moment of mourning. His respectful demeanor, not his suit color, defined the day.
In the end, the question remains: should we focus more on how leaders act—or what they wear?
