Suit up, but not in black: Donald Trump, Prince William's attire at Pope Francis' funeral sparks controversy

At what was to be a somber goodbye for Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square on Saturday, a style controversy hijacked part of the attention and it involved President Donald Trump, Prince William, and an ocean of blue suit-wearing men.

Trump, who prides himself on his own personal style, wore a blue suit, a light blue tie, and his obligatory American flag lapel pin to the Vatican. His color choice was less than pleasing to some of the viewers.

Any reason Donald Trump is wearing a blue suit instead of traditional black to a funeral?" one posted on X, setting off a flurry of controversy over funeral dress, religious decorum, and individual faith.

Trump wore a blue suit to Pope Francis' funeral at the Vatican. Then, it appears he fell asleep during the service. Embarrassing.@POTUS @realDonaldTrump #Trump #TrumpAsleep pic.twitter.com/AIQckShKyl

— I can see Ireland from here. Gerry (@gtp_58) April 26, 2025

Joining Trump in bending the Vatican’s strict dress code was Prince William, representing King Charles III. While the prince's dark suit and tie were praised for appearing suitably formal, eagle-eyed observers noticed that his suit was also dark blue — not black, as Vatican customs demand.

HRH Prince William, The Prince of Wales attending the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City.

His suit and tie is on point and Wills is looking every inch a statesman 💙 #PrinceWilliam 🙏🇻🇦 pic.twitter.com/ugHwZNOdqC

— The British Prince (@freedom_007__) April 26, 2025

And they weren't alone. Ex-President Joe Biden also appeared in a blue tie, joining the trio of dignitaries subtly rebelling against tradition.

Former Pres. Biden and former first lady Dr. Jill Biden arrive for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square.

Live updates: https://t.co/9kYEExzK7L pic.twitter.com/HW9MS4VurE

— ABC News (@ABC) April 26, 2025

According to long-standing Vatican tradition, funeral attendees, particularly heads of state, are supposed to dress in a formal black suit, black tie, and black lapel pin. Women, as reported by Italy's Il Messaggero, are supposed to wear a long black dress, complete with gloves and a black veil, and only a pearl necklace as an accessory.

None of the three men — Trump, Prince William, or Biden — came close.

Why the color clash?

The motivations may be more sophisticated than a mere fashion blunder. Neither Prince William nor Trump is Catholic; the prince is a member of the Church of England, while Trump claims to be a nondenominational Christian.

The meltdowns over President Donald Trump wearing a blue suit to Pope Francis’s funeral are nothing but comical.

Looks to me like numerous leaders chose to wear blue.

At least they’re wearing suits unlike Zelenskyy. pic.twitter.com/vnqGyLhjEo

— Southern FFA Family (@FFAFamily) April 26, 2025

In Catholic funerals, black is the conventional symbol of mourning. But for non-Catholics, the color code isn't as strict, and blue — sometimes a color that symbolizes dignity and serenity — might have been a conscious choice to respect the occasion without following traditions outside their religion.

Defenders were quick to come to Trump's defense. "You don't know the protocols. Trump is not Catholic. Prince William is wearing a blue suit too," one user noted on X.

Others, however, remained firmly within the traditional norms. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wore all black. Muslim advisor Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh also honored the dress code by wearing black.

President Droupadi Murmu attended the funeral Mass of His Holiness Pope Francis at Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City. Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State Minister for Minority Affairs, Shri George Kurian and… pic.twitter.com/xQexe8wvB1

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) April 26, 2025

But it wasn't exactly black and white — or black and blue. President, Droupadi Murmu, a Hindu by practice, also went to the occasion in blue attire, quietly indicating that religious identity may influence one's clothes at the Vatican's holiest events.