Prince William stirred public debate after wearing a navy blue suit to the funeral of the Pope, representing King Charles.

Many royal followers criticized his attire, believing black is the only appropriate color for such solemn occasions. Social media reactions ranged from confusion to outright disapproval, with several users labeling the choice “disrespectful.”

However, experts clarified that while black has traditionally been associated with mourning, dark blue and grey are also suitable funeral attire.

Royal Reporter Danielle Stacey added that the Pope’s funeral dress code simply required a dark suit with a black tie, not explicitly black clothing. Moreover, other royals, like King Abdullah II of Jordan, were also seen in blue.

Prince William has historically opted for various dark tones at funerals. At Queen Elizabeth II’s service, he wore navy military dress, and for Prince Philip’s funeral, he donned a black jacket with grey pants in accordance with a mourning dress code for male royals.

Interestingly, the only time William seems to have worn a full black suit was for Princess Diana’s funeral — although even then, some photos suggest it may have been dark navy.

The decision not to wear black appears to be more about tradition and practicality than disrespect. Military protocol, personal preferences, and evolving dress codes all play a role in the wardrobe choices of senior royals.

As royal experts point out, wearing dark blue isn’t out of line — even at high-profile, emotionally charged funerals.