Prince William has been widely praised for his composure at Pope Francis’s funeral, with royal fans calling it a “perfect king” moment.
The 42-year-old Prince of Wales represented his father, King Charles, at the service, held in Vatican City on Saturday. William was the only British royal in attendance, joining world leaders and dignitaries from around the world. Before taking his seat, he paid his respects at the late Pope’s sealed coffin, standing alongside UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Body language expert shares opinion on Prince William
Body language expert Judi James shared her thoughts, saying William’s demeanor during the service reflected qualities that would make him an “ideal king” one day.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, Judi said: “It is probably the biggest compliment to William to say that he was close to invisible at the Pope’s funeral, with his elegant body language looking quietly composed and appropriate while all the global leadership dramas swirled around him.”
She continued: “Unlike Trump and co, William had only one job which was to pay respects and he executed it perfectly. His height singles him out but his body language was low-key.”
A quiet but significant moment
As William stood beside Sir Keir Starmer at the coffin, Judi pointed out the subtle yet meaningful gestures made by the Prince.
“When he stood with Starmer at the coffin he bowed his head slightly in a moment of reflection and it was his call in terms of ending the pose as he turned out of it first to signal to the Starmers that it was time to move away,” she explained.
Pope Francis: 5 little-known facts
- Nightclub bouncer
During his student years, Pope Francis worked as a nightclub bouncer in Argentina. - Real name
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he chose the name Francis after Saint Francis of Assisi, known for his dedication to the poor. - Tango dancer
He practiced the milonga, a traditional Argentine tango, in his youth. His love for dance continued, and in 2014, a mass tango was performed on the Via della Conciliazione near St. Peter’s Square to celebrate his 78th birthday. - Humble lifestyle
Instead of living in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, the Pope opted for a guesthouse within the Vatican, maintaining a modest way of life and even preparing his own meals. - Master of power naps
Part of his rigorous daily schedule included a 45-minute nap after lunch. In a 2017 interview with EWTN Vatican, he revealed: “I go to my room, take off my shoes, and lie down fully dressed. I get up feeling good — with a clear head and reinvigorated, as if it were morning again.”
“This ability to be elegantly politely drama-free will help make William the ideal king one day.”
Shared qualities with Princess Kate
Judi also pointed out that this composure is something William shares with his wife, Princess Kate, 43.
“It’s a quality that he and Kate tend to have perfected,” she noted. “While they will never be ignored thanks to their stylish good looks, they will share the ability to attend important events like this without making it all about themselves.”
Kate did not attend the funeral, reportedly staying at their Windsor home with their three children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six.
Fans applaud Prince William’s appearance
Royal fans were quick to commend William’s dignified presence at the service.
One fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “The Prince of Wales attending the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City. His suit and tie is on point and Wills is looking every inch a statesman.”
Another posted: “Prince William is well thought of and very much loved and admired here in America… He will make an excellent king.”
A third commented: “Prince William is not even King yet, but is already the face of the British Monarchy. He is front and centre whenever there is a ceremony or a celebration somewhere in the world. And it’s only going to get better when Wills actually becomes Monarch.”
A glimpse into the monarchy’s future
William’s role at the funeral comes as he increasingly takes on more responsibilities as heir to the throne.
Since King Charles’s cancer diagnosis, the Prince of Wales has expanded his public engagements, balancing his royal duties with his environmental advocacy and his Homewards homelessness initiative.
Royal experts have observed that William’s conduct at major events like this provides a strong indication of the monarchy’s future under his leadership.