Overview

• Pope Francis’s funeral on April 26, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica brought together world leaders, royals, and dignitaries in a solemn ceremony.
• Prince William’s choice of a dark blue suit, permitted under Vatican protocol, stood out among predominantly black attire at the event.
• The Vatican dress code explicitly allows dark blue and gray suits for men, alongside the traditional black, provided other formal requirements are met.
• British royal tradition, reportedly endorsed by King Charles III, has long favored dark blue suits for funerals, dating back to at least 1997.
• Other high-profile attendees, including Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Grand Duke Henri, and King Philippe, also wore dark blue, emphasizing its acceptability under protocol.