King Willem-Alexander Skips Pope's Funeral for King's Day Celebrations
Monarch Skips Pope's Funeral Attendance - Sovereign Skips Pope's Funeral Service
Hey there! Let's dive into the scoop about King Willem-Alexander skipping Pope Francis' funeral.
Got to prioritize the calendar! As the world mourns the loss of Pope Francis, King Willem-Alexander won't be attending the funeral in Rome, instead honoring his commitments by celebrating King's Day in Doetinchem as planned on April 26, 2025[1].
So why the no-show? In a nutshell, it's all about timing—King's Day, a national holiday that celebrates the monarch's birthday (April 27), conflicts with the funeral[1].
But fear not, as the government steps up to the plate! Prime Minister Schoof and Foreign Minister Veldkamp will represent the Netherlands at the pope's funeral[2]. As stated, "In the name of the government, Prime Minister Schoof and Foreign Minister Veldkamp will attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome." The King's absence is thus filled by the government's top officials[2].
On Monday, April 21, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima showed their respects for the pope's passing with a heartfelt message on Instagram. Deeply saddened by the pope's demise, the royal couple will "cherish his memory with gratitude." [3]
While King Willem-Alexander will be celebrating the King's Day festivities, other members of the royal family and the royal household will join in celebrations in Doetinchem. However, the current announcement does not specify the attendance of Queen Máxima and her daughters individually[3].
The King's Day celebrations in Doetinchem will go ahead as planned, with a slight adjustment to the schedule—the live broadcast on Dutch television will begin at 12 noon, taking into account the funeral taking place in Rome at 10 am[3].
In case you're curious, King's Day is a super important national holiday in the Netherlands, celebrated nationwide[1]. And this year, it seems the royal family is demonstrating that national obligations are their priority[1].
[1] [Link to reference for King's Day][2] [Link to reference for PM and Foreign Minister attending the funeral][3] [Link to reference for the royal Instagram announcement]
- Despite the passing of Pope Francis, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands will not be attending the funeral in Rome due to scheduling conflicts with King's Day celebrations on April 26, 2025.
- Prime Minister Schoof and Foreign Minister Veldkamp will represent the Netherlands at the pope's funeral in Rome, while King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima will observe the King's Day celebrations.
- On April 21, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima expressed their condolences for the pope's passing on their official Instagram account.
- King's Day, celebrating King Willem-Alexander's birthday, is a significant national holiday in the Netherlands, and the royal family is prioritizing their national obligations by participating in the King's Day celebrations in Doetinchem on April 26, 2025.
