Prince William was just one of many royals in attendance at Pope Francis’ funeral last weekend. The future king represented his father, King Charles, at the solemn event, but royal fans reacted strongly as soon as the Prince of Wales walked onto St. Peter’s Square. Some found his attire disrespectful.

During Pope Francis‘ 12-year papacy, he traveled to more than 60 countries, meeting dignitaries, world leaders, and many Royal Family members from various royal houses. King Charles and Queen Camilla had the honor of meeting Francis, but Prince William never did.

However, he was the one who represented the British Royal Family in the Vatican on April 26, when Pope Francis was laid to rest after passing away Monday, April 21. Presidents, prime ministers, and many other notable guests attended, and William wasn’t the only royal there.

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco were in attendance, alongside King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain. King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium were also in Italy to pay their respects, together with Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg.

The Nordic royal houses were also represented by Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, and Queen Mary of Denmark, who represented the Danish Royal Family on her own, as her husband, King Frederik, was on a three-day visit to Japan.

Vatican protocol states that Catholic royals are to be seated in the front row of St. Peter’s Basilica. King Charles has battled health issues with his cancer diagnosis for the past year, with Prince William stepping in as a result.

Why Prince William attended the funeral of Pope Francis

However, sickness is not the reason as to why King Charles didn’t travel to the Vatican to attend Pope Francis’ funeral. According to royal expert Hugo Vickers, it’s not rare for the heir to the throne – rather than the reigning monarch – to attend funerals. For example, then-Prince Charles represented the British Royal Family when Pope John Paul II died in 2005, not Queen Elizabeth II.

“Well, that’s all protocol. I mean the Pope didn’t come to the Queen’s funeral as you remember and actually Prince Charles went to the last, not Pope Benedict, Pope John Paul II’s funeral,” Vickers said on The Sun’s Royal Exclusiveshow.