King Charles is not allowed to attend the Pope's funeral due to royal protocol and precedence that dictate the sovereign does not attend funerals. This tradition has been followed before; for example, in 2005, then-Prince Charles attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II. Instead of the King, his son Prince William represents the British royal family at the Pope's funeral. This protocol is an established convention within the British monarchy, confirmed by Buckingham Palace, and is a formality rather than a personal choice or restriction imposed by the Vatican. King Charles himself expressed deep sadness over the Pope's death but adheres to this royal tradition.
