Why Did Prince William Wear a Blue Suit to Pope Francis’ Funeral?

• Prince William attended Pope Francis’ funeral on behalf of his father, King Charles, over the weekend
• Like President Donald Trump, the Prince of Wales faced some criticism for wearing a dark blue suit instead of black clothing
• However, the Vatican doesn’t list official funeral protocol, and a source told PEOPLE that attendees were only expected to wear “appropriate attire” for the service

Prince William was among the many dignitaries and heads of state who traveled to Rome to attend Pope Francis’ funeral over the weekend.

While the ceremony, held in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday, April 26, was intended to honor the late pontiff, there was also attention on the attendees, including on what they chose to wear.

The Prince of Wales — who attended the event on behalf of his father, King Charles — donned a navy suit with a white shirt, black tie and black dress shoes.

Prince William, 42, wasn’t the only attendee who wore blue instead of the more traditional option of black for the funeral. U.S. President Donald Trump, Jordan’s King Abdullah and Indian President Draupadi Murmu all opted for blue ensembles for the event, drawing criticism on social media.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who dressed in black but not in a traditional suit, also had his sartorial choice analyzed online.

However, Prince William, Trump and other attendees who wore a color other than black were not necessarily breaking protocol. The Vatican does not list an official funeral dress code on its website, and an insider told PEOPLE that attire for the ceremony was left up to the individual.

“Attendees wore what they considered to be appropriate attire for such a solemn occasion,” a Vatican source said.

Prince William’s blue suit and black tie combination is something he’s worn for funerals in the past, including the November 2023 services for Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton.

For the funeral of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth on September 19, 2022, Prince William wore his dress military uniform.

However, his eldest son, Prince George, sported a navy suit, white shirt and black tie — a similar ensemble to what his father wore to mourn the late pope.

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While King Charles was not in attendance at the pope’s funeral, he and Queen Camilla visited with the Catholic leader just 12 days before he died, on April 9.

Upon news of Pope Francis’ death, the King reflected on their final meeting in an official statement commemorating His Holiness, saying he and his wife were “greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month.”

“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,” he continued in the statement, via Buckingham Palace. 

“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,” King Charles noted in his tribute. “His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world. Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many.”