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Editor's factfile: Friday April 8
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| Between now and polling day Craig Hoy provides a daily briefing on the rules, issues and people making the 2005 election |
Why are politicians, rather than the Queen, attending the Pope's funeral?
The Pope was both leader of the Catholic church and head of state of the Vatican City. By convention the Queen, as head of state, does not attend the funeral of another head of state. The only relatively recent exception was the funeral of King Leopold of the Belgians.
Whilst the Queen is supreme governor of the Church of England, and therefore an important member of the 'Christian family', her function as head of state outranks all the other functions history has tasked her with.
It will not, however, be the prime minister who represents the nation today. Prince Charles, who should have been getting married this afternoon, will attend the funeral on behalf of the Queen - and, therefore, the British nation.
When a senior head of state dies, the Queen asks a senior member of the Royal family to represent her. By sending the heir to the throne, the importance of the Pope's death is being underlined by Prince Charles' attendance, the Palace told me last night.
The prime minister, as head of the government, will also be in attendance, representing the British executive. He will also be joined by Michael Howard, Charles Kennedy and senior ministers at the funeral.
As a mark of respect, the main political parties will not campaign today.
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Published: Fri, 8 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT+01
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More Information
Independent sources:
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