The new Bishop of Rome, also known as Pope Francis, will be installed on March 19.
The Duke of Gloucester will represent Queen Elizabeth II at the ceremony. He will be accompanied by his wife, the Duchess of Gloucester.
The King and Queen of the Belgians will be attending as well. The Prince of Orange and the Argentine-born Princess Maxima of the Netherlands will represent Queen Beatrix.
The Prince and Princess of Asturias will represent King Juan Carlos, who is recovering from surgery.
The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg and Prince Félix of Luxembourg will attend the ceremony. Prince Félix attends Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum university in Rome.
The Prince and Princess of Monaco are also now on the list of royal attendees.
Vice President Joseph Biden, a Roman Catholic, will head the United States delegation to the Installation.
Someone wondered if Lord and Lady Nicholas Windsor will be at the ceremony. They are not members of the Royal Family, and do not carry out official engagements. They live in Rome, and have strong ties to the Vatican, so it would not be a surprise if they attend the service as private citizens with connections. In October 2011, Lord Nicholas was appointed as Chairman of the Rome-based Dignitatis Humanae Institute. He served in this position until February of this year.
I would think the Duke and Duchess of Kent would be a better choice because she is catholic. However, I am not sure they do many things together any more.
ReplyDeleteThe duchess does not carry out engagements any more.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marlene.
ReplyDeleteI would be well impressed if William or Harry took on duties of this sort. It's time they step up their game.
When Charles is king, William and Harry will be doing this sort of stuff. They are not senior royals now.
ReplyDeleteMarlene, do you think there ever be an issue with Charles and Camilla attending a Papal inauguration due to the fact that they have each been divorced?
ReplyDeleteNot at all. They are not Roman Catholics. I suspect they are not going because they would have had to cut short their current trip and come home to go to Rome. Easier to send another family member.
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