The real reason why Kate Middleton didn't attend Pope Francis' funeral with Prince William on Saturday (26 April).

The Princess of Wales' absence was notable, given that other dignitaries' spouses were present for the religious ceremony.

In 2023, William traveled solo to Kuwait to pay his respects following the death of Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah. When he was a Prince, Charles attended a number of state funerals or mourning ceremonies alone on behalf of his mother Queen Elizabeth, including that of the previous Pope John Paul II in 2005.