Pope Francis — the first Latin American pontiff and the leader of some 1.4 billion Catholics — died at the age of 88 on April 21, Easter Monday. On April 26, 2025, a funeral ceremony for Pope Francis was held at St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. Around 200,000 people gathered there to commemorate the death of Pope Francis.
King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, King Abdullah and Queen Rania of Jordan, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, Queen Mary of Denmark, and the Prince of Wales attended the funeral mass for the late Pope Francis, at St. Peter's Square in Vatican City.
sad moment. Where is Queen Maxima?
ReplyDeleteIts kingsday in the Netherlands. It is a national day. King Willem Alexander held a speech at the beginning to commemorate Pope Francis
DeleteToday is Kingsday in The Netherlands; the national holiday. Queen Maximá is celebrating with the rest of her family.
DeleteI don't know if the Dutch royals were there in person or if they sent a representative but I saw on another list that Queen Mary of Denmark was present.
DeleteAt home - The dutch royals did not participate.
DeleteIn Netherland. Today they celebrate the Netherlands koningsdag/the kings day.
DeleteKing and Queen celebrated King's Day so they decided not to attend Pope's funeral.
DeletePS. I don't think it was right decision on their part.
Ava
@Ava: I don't know if it is good to be judgemental about such decisions without considering the background. Wikipedia says: "In the 21st century, a large majority of the Dutch population believes in the separation of church and state, that is, that religion should not play a decisive role in politics or public education. ... According to the CBS in 2018, 53% of the Dutch were religiously unaffiliated, 37% were Christians (out of whom 22% registered Catholics, 15% Protestants ..." So they made a personal decision that is very much accordance with the huge majority of the population (22% Catholics out of of 37% Christians).
DeleteAva, I see it the other way around! It’s THE King’s Day. It’s a huge nationwide celebration, organised months ahead, for all Dutch to enjoy… and they really do. It’s not just about the King but a celebration of the country. How disappointed would the population be if their main man decided to attend someone else’s last minute country/event, for a person he’d only met a few times ? I think he made the right decision.
DeleteI read somewhere that the dutch royals do not always attend popes funerals. I don’t think it was totally because of kings day. The king did honour the pope and delayed his day out of reverence.
DeleteI agree with many of your comments. Maxima who has remained catholic and is Argentinian by birth should have been in Rome on this special and sad day. I think, the Dutch people would have understood.
DeleteI also think that giving priority to the celebration of King's Day in the Netherlands is a bad decision. They could have always moved the celebrations to the next day - Sunday.
Delete1. 30% of the Dutch population are Catholics, which is the largest religion in the Netherlands (20% Protestant, 5% Muslim, 39% no church and others). Postponing the celebrations would be a sign of respect for them.
2. Maxima herself is a catholic (king is a protestant).
3. She is from Argentina, as was Pope Francis. Although Pope Francis was apparently not popular in her social circles. Maxima´s father was a minister in the government of dictator Vidal and the Pope, then still under the name Bergoglio, helped the victims of this dictatorship, during whose rule many people disappeared.
Stephanie
It’s the best decision they could make Ava!!! And besides that it’s none of our business what hey decide.
Delete@Anon 15:16 , what a idiotic comment .
DeleteAva
So if someone is disagreeing with you, the comment is idiotic? Think again and get real. The pope once said something about building bridges instead of creating walls. Wish you luck Ava. And Kingsday was great.
DeleteThis is not really religious. The pope is a head of state and this funeral is like any other head of state. Many non catholic countries are represented by their heads, respectfully attired with black suits and mourning veils. I think it is disrespectful of the Dutch not to show up.
DeleteDoes anybody know why some of the royal ladies wear a head scarf and some are not?
ReplyDeleteThere is a strict dress code for the funeral of a pope (Men must wear a dark suit at the funeral of Pope Francis, along with a long black tie and a black button on the left lapel of the jacket. Women are required to wear a long black dress, black gloves, and a headscarf. Only one piece of jewelry is allowed: a pearl necklace around the neck). But Pope Francis has relaxed some protocol rules. I think that is why Maria Teresa and other women aren't wearing headscarf. And there are also men who aren't following the protocol.
DeleteA headscarf is part of the traditional dress when visiting a pope but also when attending mass. But it is not mandatory. So I imagine some of the women, especially the non-Catholic ones, decided against wearing one.
DeleteBecause it's not longer binding for women to wear head scarfs.
DeleteNow in more modern times its become a personal choice
DeleteIch würde mal behaupten, wenn Frau keinen Schleier ererbt hat wird das eine kostspielige Sache. Diese Schleier in Spanien und Italien sind aus feinsten Tüll oder Seidenstoffen bestickt und noch teurer aus edlen Spitzen. Oder hauchfeine Seidentücher wo auch das Gesicht mit bedeckt wird. Also echte Kostbarkeiten und eben meistens aus der Familie. Der obligatorische Trauerschleier, den viele der Damen gewählt haben. Der schwarze Schleier ist traditionell eine sichtbare Äußerung der Trauer und des Verlusts. Er signalisiert nach außen hin die Trauer der Trägerin um den Verstorbenen und den Respekt vor der Zeremonie. -Dorothe-
DeleteMaria Teresa is wearing her scarf in her hand so obviously she was planning to wear it when the ceremony started.
DeleteThe Royal ladies may all be trying to do the right thing - but I can hardly see black lace on any other woman pictured. Could be a royal protocol thing more than a pope- funeral thing perhaps.
DeleteDorothe, expense is not the reason, it is personal choice even if the protocol has been relaxed, it is done out of reverence to the deceased.
DeleteHistorically, royals from around the world, Catholic or not, have had a special relationship with the papacy. Even non-Catholic royals were given seating preference over some dignitaries. They are far more inclined to adhere to the dress code for a papal funeral because their lives are steeped in tradition daily. There were non royal women wearing veils as well. We would see formal dress in the designated seating section, while the pilgrims (or visitors) to the Vatican have a different dress code to follow to enter churches, such as knees must be covered.
DeleteIn a sea of black (mourning color) William and trump wear blue, couldn’t expect anything else from those two anyway.
ReplyDeleteDid you read the protocol? *Dark* suit, not black.
Deleteprotocol says dark suit, not black suit.
DeleteI noticed the same thing and was disappointed by both. At funerals in Britain he wore black. A bit disrespectful in my opinion, but it is only my opinion
DeleteDark suit and black tie. At least William had a black tie.
DeleteHM King Abdullah and HRH Grand Duke Henri also wore dark BLUE suits. Like the other men whom some posters are criticizing, they followed protocol.
DeleteIn standard European dress code dark suite means black suite.
DeleteI am very disappointed in Prince William for not wearing a black suit, even if he felt his blue suit was dark enough and protocol says dark suit. Mr.T, well he likes to stand out so to be expected. Perhaps both were for security reasons.
ReplyDeleteA dark blue suit is a dark suit
Delete@15:08. Dress code was a dark suit for the men and there was plenty of navy blue, greys and black on display. The pope had tried to take the pomp out of his ceremony, wanted real not prestigious, proud or fancy. Navy blue for William is fine.
DeleteI was disappointed as well. I understand a man not being able to afford multiple suits, but that does not apply to these two. I will only address William. Technically, he was in a dark suit and black tie, which was the dress code, but his suit stood out in a sea of black. I have never understood why the RFB in particular sticks with blue suits when not in uniform or morning suits. It looks like a throw back to what the Queen felt was appropriate during her rein. The possible argument that it is a royal color doesn't have much weight when every other European royal man was in black, Catholic or not. There is quite a lot of criticism of the two in blue in the media and the only real explanation I have seen is that they are not Catholic. That makes no sense to me because black is the understood color for mourning and funerals. Religion has nothing to do with it. A variety of religions were represented with all attendees wearing black, with allowances for cultural garb. William doesn't strike me as the kind of person that is trying to stand out, so it must be due to habit. The males in the BRF have worn blue suits and black ties to funerals for years, even though they own black suits. They require black attire for women in morning, and required it for the Queen's funeral. On the day of the funeral, I prefer to see a black suit and tie instead of a blue suit and black tie. While I do not believe William was being disrespectful in any way, I think a black suit looks more respectful.
DeleteStilvoll, angemessen elegant, hier Königin Letizia von Spanien ihre Brosche ist sehr klassisch gewählt. Ich mag Melania Trump bis auf ihre Pumps als Trauergast, etwas sexy? Tapfere Königin Silvia, gerade kam sie von einem Begräbnis und nun hier, gute Besserung. Auch Prinzessin Mette Marit sehr klassisch und schick, das kann sie. Nur Luxemburg, die Großherzogin das steht ihr überhaupt nicht, das wirkt so nach schwarz gegriffen aber mehr auch nicht. Leider nicht gesehen was Madame Macron trägt, vielleicht sieht man sie noch besser. Und perfekt von Kopf bis Fuß die Fürstin Charlene aus Monaco, es wäre schön gewesen wenn der Fürst sie geleitet hätte und nicht einen Schritt vorne weg bei diesen Stufen, diese sind nicht so leicht zu gehen. -Dorothe-
ReplyDeleteWhile there can be an argument for criticizing her husband, Melania was not wearing shoes that were too sexy. If you are going to stay with that position, you must include Queen Mary and Madame Macron to begin with. Also, keep in mind that Maxima would have been included in that group if she had attended. Women wear the shoes they are comfortable in and what they are accustomed to. As long as they were in classic closed toe shoes, they were appropriate.
DeleteThe head scarfs are not called like that they are mantilla's in black lace.
ReplyDeleteThe only reason why the Dutch royals were not present was the fact that it was Kings Day. It is the national day of The Netherlands. The Dutch government was present through the person of the Prime Minister, I think.
All the speculations that one can read here are fantasy and not true.
Il me semble que pour une cérémonie d'obsèques c'est la cravate noire qui est protocolaire pour les hommes et pas obligatoirement un costume noir.
ReplyDeleteTous les royaux ont une cravate noire, William aussi.
Par contre certains hommes n'ont pas de cravate noire, plusieurs en portent des bleues, y compris Trump (ce qui n'est pas étonnant). Paloma.
Reply to anonymous 15.16 u: I have lived in the Netherlands for 66 years, still do. So I think it is my business when I feel the Dutch king and queen made a bad decision. Directly after the pope died, they said to be deeply affected by the death of pope Franciscus with whom they had a special warm bond. They visited the pope several times privately even with their three daughters, and on top a state visit to the pope and Vatican.
ReplyDeleteThen in spite of that special warm bond they can’t delay the kings birthday celebration till Monday !!
I’m still very angry, and I’m not even catholic !!
The prime minister and minister of foreign affairs attended on behalf of your country and king.
DeleteT
Kingsday in the Netherlands is celebrated throughout the entire country. It is a national holiday. A lot of planning goes into that. Security, police, public transport, music festivals. It is not just a birthday party that you can postpone. And postponing it to monday is not an option because everybody in the country has to go to work again. You can't just give everybody a day off.
Delete
Delete@ Anon 17:24 thank you for your comment and I do agree with you.
Ava
I’m born and still live I’m the Netherlands and very proud of our royal family. Celebrate Kingsday on Monday would be nice, but we have to be realistic because of all the organisation and safety it’s not possible. Don’t be angry, I know for sure that if it would be possible to delay Kingsday they (and the specially the royal family) would have done it. Hope you had a nice Kingsday. Let’s build bridges instead of walls, like the pope said.
DeleteFYI Dutch Kingsday is tomorrow, 27 April (his birthday)
ReplyDeleteYes but the strict Protestants don’t allow celebrations on Sunday, so it was pulled forward to Saturday, but for the funeral of a catholic pope, a world leader, it was not possible to celebrate our Dutch king’s birthday on April 28th !! I am sorry but I feel very disappointed in Willem-Alexander and Maxima.
DeleteDidn’t see Frederick?
ReplyDeleteI think he is on a trip to Japan. Mary went in his place and looked stunning.
DeletePour cette cérémonie bien triste, je pense que chacun est libre de respecter le protocole que ce soit en noir ou même en bleu soutenu !
ReplyDeletePour cette cérémonie bien triste, je pense que chacun est libre de respecter le protocole que ce soit en noir ou même en bleu soutenu !
ReplyDeleteQue je lis tous ces commentaires négatifs : pourquoi le Roi ou Maxima des Pays Bas ne sont pas présents, pourquoi certains costumes ne sont pas noirs, pourquoi certaines personnes féminines portent ou pas de mantille
ReplyDeleteRappelez vous que ce bon Pape François a dit pour toute autre chose : qui suis je pour juger?
C est un moment de recueillement
Froufrou
I know blue is considered as dark suit, but never the less tasteless for a funeral.
ReplyDeletePost a Comment