As King Charles and Queen Camilla pay tribute to Pope Francis today, they will reflect on their recent private visit.
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday aged 88, the Vatican announced today.
The pontiff spent his final weeks in hospital with an infection that developed into pneumonia in both lungs.
The Conclave – where cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to choose a successor – will not happen for at least 15 days.
In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace this morning, the King wrote: ‘My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis.
‘Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry.
‘His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others.
‘Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many.
Just last month King Charles and Queen Camilla visited the Pope privately on their 20th wedding anniversary
Pope Francis on the balcony of St. Peter’s basilica during the Urbi et Orbi message and blessing to the city and the world as part of Easter celebrations yesterday
Charles and Camilla visited the Italian Parliament in Rome last month
‘The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years and we were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month.’
It is possible Charles may cancel upcoming engagements out of respect for Pope Francis and to attend his funeral – as he did for Pope John Paul II 20 years prior.
In 2005 the royal couple rescheduled their wedding day so Charles could attend the funeral of Pope John Paul II.
Just last month Charles and Camilla visited the Pope privately on their 20th wedding anniversary.
The meeting took place at the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, where the Pope had been recovering for more than two weeks since being released from Gemelli Hospital.
Charles and the Pope are understood to have wished each other well following their personal health battles in recent months.
Among the events which may be rescheduled if there is a clash with the pontiff’s funeral are the traditional garden parties at Buckingham Palace in the spring.
Each year, thousands of guests are invited to spend the afternoon in the palace gardens to speak with members of the Royal Family.
Charles and Camilla previously spoke with the Pope in April 2017 (pictured)
Charles is seen with Pope Francis during a visit to the Vatican on April 4, 2017
Prince Charles is pictured with Pope Francis in 2019
Pope Francis meets with Charles on April 4, 2017 in Vatican City
The parties recognise individuals for their public service, including Lord-Lieutenants, those in Local Government and the Church.
When the funeral of Pope John Paul was announced in April 2005, diplomatic sources soon said the prime minister, Tony Blair, would be going to Rome, not the royal wedding, making it the first time a serving prime minister attended the funeral of a pontiff.
Echoing Blair’s sentiment, the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, also confirmed he would go, establishing him as the first sitting archbishop to attend. Dr Williams was due to bless the then prince’s wedding but made it clear he wished to go to Rome.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said the Pope’s funeral must take priority and insisted Charles was very keen to be sensitive.
He agreed to postpone his wedding by 24 hours and attended The Requiem Mass in Rome himself on behalf of the Queen.
It is historically significant the Royal family deferred to the Vatican in changing its plans, given the long and tense history between the two institutions.
The Requiem Mass was said to have set world records both for attendance and number of heads of state present at a funeral.
The Papal Gentlemen carry the cypress wood coffin of Pope John Paul II past gathered dignitaries and world leaders
The Requiem Mass – pictured – was said to have set world records both for attendance and number of heads of state present at a funeral
American Archbishop James Harvey shakes hands with Prince Charles in Saint Peter’s square in April, 2005
Charles first met Pope John Paul in 1985 when he visited Rome with Diana.
Vatican protocol dictates the prince had to meet the pontiff alone before being joined by the duchess and then other members of the royal household.
He also met Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican in 2009 but did not attend his funeral as Benedict was neither head of the Catholic Church nor head of the Vatican City State.
Charles and Camilla married in 2005 on a Saturday, which strayed from tradition.
It is royal convention to have weddings on weekdays, but this rule has been broken on occasions – including when Harry and Meghan married on Saturday May 19, 2018.
This is not a set rule and there is no explanation for why royals tend to opt for a weekday ceremony.
Royal weddings often take place at Westminster Abbey and St George’s Chapel, which host services every day. It may simply be a case of the royals not wanting to disrupt the church’s scheduled hours of worship at the weekend.
But the King and Queen consort have had a far from conventional relationship.
Charles with Tony Blair at the funeral of Pope John Paul II in St. Peter’s Square on April 8, 2005
As Prince of Wales, Charles has visited the Holy See five times. Charles and Diana are pictured with Pope John Paul II in 1985
Prince Charles and Camilla had to postpone their wedding by 24 hours when the funeral for Pope John Paul II was announced for the same day in April 2005
Charles stands with Camilla on the steps of St George’s Chapel in Windsor following the church blessing of their civil wedding ceremony
The two had both been married previously and second weddings had only recently been recognised by the Church of England when they tied the knot.
The union took place at Windsor Guildhall and was followed by a Church of England Service of Prayer and Dedication at St George’s Chapel.
The late Queen and Prince Philip did not attend the civil ceremony but were present at the dedication and held a reception for the couple in Windsor Castle afterwards.
Charles is reported to have written privately to Pope Francis when he was first taken ill.
During the visit Charles and Camilla traveled to Rome and Ravenna where they joined the pontiff in celebrating the 2025 Jubilee.
The event is traditionally held once every 25 years and this year’s theme is ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.
The aim of the visit was to ‘celebrate UK’s warm bilateral relationship with each country,’ according to Buckingham Palace.
A spokesperson said at the time: ‘The visit to the Holy See will be an historic visit in the year of the Papal Jubilee and will mark a significant step forward in relations between the Catholic Church and Church of England with a special service in the Sistine Chapel.
Pope Benedict XVI met Charles and Camilla in his private library at the Vatican on April 27, 2009
Camilla arrives at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City to meet Pope Benedict XVI on the first day of her and Prince Charles’ tour of Italy in 2009
‘The visit to Italy will underscore the depth and breadth of the bilateral relationship: our defence relationship including in the current international context; our shared values, history and culture; our work together on the clean energy transition; and the links between our peoples and communities.’
As Prince of Wales, Charles visited the Holy See five times in 1985, 2005 for the funeral of Pope John Paul II, 2009, 2017 and 2019 for the Canonisation of Cardinal John Henry Newman.
He first visited Italy in 1984 and has been to the country 17 times with his most recent visit taking place in October 2021 for the G20 Summit in Rome. Camilla joined him on two of these visits in 2009 and 2017.
Queen Elizabeth visited the Holy See and Italy four times, each time accompanied by Prince Philip.
The King and Queen’s visit coincided with their porcelain wedding anniversary.
Camilla surprised royal fans today as she chose to rewear her wedding outfit to celebrate her anniversary with Charles.
Buckingham Palace issued a photograph of the meeting on social media, with a post saying: ‘Che occasione speciale!
‘A special moment for Their Majesties as they privately met His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican yesterday.
‘The King and Queen were deeply touched by The Pope’s kind remarks about their 20th wedding anniversary and honoured to be able to share their best wishes to him in person.’
The visit was subject to the Pope’s health, it is understood.
The Holy Father issued an invitation to Their Majesties for a private audience, given the official State Visit was postponed because of his ill-health.
A private exchange of gifts took place during the audience, which happened mid-afternoon, after Their Majesties returned from Parliament.
They retired briefly at the Villa Wolkonsky to change outfits and drove to the Vatican, with the meeting lasting around 20 minutes.
In attendance were Their Majesties’ Principal Private Secretary, Sir Clive Alderton, and Her Majesty’s Deputy Private Secretary, Mrs Belinda Kim.
At the time sources said discussion about a future official State Visit to the Holy See State Visit would continue.
