News

Why King Charles did not attend Pope Francis’s funeral – and why it matters

Published

8 months ago

April 26, 2025

WHEN Pope Francis was laid to rest in Vatican City on Friday (Apr 25), world leaders gathered to pay their respects. Among them was the Prince of Wales, representing the United Kingdom. However, one notable absence caught the attention of many: King Charles III.

The decision for the monarch not to attend was not a personal slight, but a reflection of longstanding royal protocol.

Traditionally, reigning British monarchs do not attend funerals of foreign dignitaries — including Popes — and the reasons are deeply rooted in history, symbolism, and diplomacy.

One of the key considerations is the symbolic neutrality of the Crown.

The monarch is meant to represent the enduring stability of the United Kingdom, standing above politics and international affairs. Attending the funeral of a foreign religious or political leader could be interpreted as aligning too closely with a particular nation, cause, or faith.

Religious history also plays a role. As Supreme Governor of the Church of England, the monarch leads a Christian denomination that historically separated from the Roman Catholic Church. Although relations between Anglicans and Catholics have significantly improved over the centuries, sensitivities around the relationship remain, and tradition advises caution.

***King Charles visited the Pope before he died (Image: Vatican)***

***Prince William attending the Pope’s Funeral on April 26, 2025 (Image: A Masiello)***

Practical diplomacy further supports this approach. By not attending any foreign funerals, the monarch avoids diplomatic complications that could arise if certain funerals were attended while others were not. It maintains a consistent, impartial stance on the international stage.

This is not a new development. When Pope John Paul II died in 2005, Queen Elizabeth II did not attend the funeral. Instead, the then-Prince of Wales — now King Charles III — represented the UK. The pattern repeated this week, with Prince William stepping into that role for his father.

Importantly, King Charles had met Pope Francis just weeks before the pontiff’s passing, during a visit to Italy. The meeting was said to be warm and meaningful, and was among the Pope’s final audiences with a head of state.

The decision for the King to remain at home and for Prince William to attend reflects a thoughtful balancing act: paying deep respect to Pope Francis while upholding centuries of royal tradition.

As the relationship between the monarchy, the Church of England, and global religious communities continues to evolve, some question whether these traditions should continue. For now, however, the protocol remains an important part of the Crown’s delicate role on the world stage.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

8 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

9 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

9 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.