Prince Edward is preparing for the major responsibility of being the face of the Royal Family while the world watches the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV.
The Duke of Edinburgh, 61, will attend the ceremony in Rome on Sunday in lieu of King Charles or the Prince of Wales.
The inauguration Mass for the 267th Pontiff and Bishop of Rome will take place on the morning of May 18 at St. Peter’s Square.
Prince William previously attended Pope Franics' funeral on behalf of the King due to a longstanding royal rule.
Prince Edward is set to leave the UK for Rome.
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A spokesman for Buckingham Palace confirmed: "The Duke of Edinburgh will represent His Majesty at the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV."
However, no reason has yet been given for the King’s absence at the upcoming ceremony.
Edward’s wife, Sophie the Duchess of Edinburgh, will not join him to observe to the ascension of the first north American pope.
His mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, was represented by the Duke of Gloucester at the inauguration of Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, in 2013.
The Duke of Edinburgh will attend the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican's St. Peter’s Square on Sunday.
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Prince Philip also stepped in for the former Queen at Pope Benedict XVI's ascension in April 2005.
King Charles, then Prince of Wales, was himself the Royal Family representative at the funeral of Pope John Paul II earlier that year.
Other global dignitaries will attend Sunday’s mass, including Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.
US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will attend, with the The presence of US President Donald Trump remaining an unknown.
The Prince of Wales previously represented the Royal Family at the funeral of Pope Francis.
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will be among other world leaders joining.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Foreign Secretary David Lammy will represent the UK at the ceremony.
Ahead of attending the inauguration, Prince Edward and Sophie attended the Royal Windsor Horse Show on Thursday.
The once-a-year show, beloved of Queen Elizabeth II, has been held on the grounds of Windsor Castle since 1943.
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Edward has been attending a number of joyous engagements ahead of his huge trip to Rome.
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Edward and Sophie has also been long-time enjoyers of the enjoyers and travelled to attend from their Bagshot Park home in Surrey to take part.
It has proved to be a festive period for Edward, as he presented the Gold Duke of Edinburgh awards to 2,000 young recipients atBuckingham Palace.
The Duke of Edinburgh showed "amazing energy" as he handed out the awards in the palace gardens.
Buckingham Palace shared footage of the soiree on the Royal Family's official Instagram account, describing it as "a golden time" and "a glorious day".
