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Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, H.R.H. Princess Caroline of Hanover and Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy attend the funeral of the former Archbishop of Monaco Mgr Bernard Barsi in the Cathedral of Monaco

Prince Albert IIandPrincess Charleneof Monaco are mourning the death of an archbishop who presided over major family milestones.

The royal couple attended the funeral of Monsignor Bernard Barsi in Monaco on Wednesday, matching in black for the solemn service. Prince Albert’s elder sister, Princess Caroline of Hanover, was also pictured making her way into the Cathedral of Monaco. Like Charlene, Caroline wore a traditional black mantilla veil on her hair as a sign of reverence in church.

According to theMonaco Daily News,Barsi died at age 80 last week after having a heart attack on Christmas Eve. He was ordained in Nice, France in 1969 and became head of the Catholic Church in Monaco in 2000. The key position put him in close proximity with Monaco’s royal family, who are Catholic, and he oversaw their most personal sacraments.

The archbishop officiated the funeral of Albert and Caroline’s father Prince Rainier III in 2005, the wedding of Albert and Charlene in 2011, and later baptized their twin childrenCrown Prince JacquesandPrincess Gabriellain 2015. Barsi retired in 2020.

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Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco attend the funeral of the former Archbishop of Monaco Mgr Bernard Barsi in the Cathedral of Monaco

Princess Caroline of Hanover and Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy attend the funeral of the former Archbishop of Monaco Mgr Bernard Barsi in the Cathedral of Monaco

After the archbishop’s death was announced last week, Prince Albert, 64, and Princess Charlene, 44, released a heartfelt statement remembering him with love.

Alamy Stock Photo

Bernard Barsi holds the hands of Princess Charlene of Monaco as Prince Albert II reacts during their religious wedding ceremony

“Also, they address, in their own name and that of the population of Monaco, their prayers and their most sincere condolences to the family of Monsignor Bernard Barsi as well as to all people, clerics and lay people, who were dear to him,” the princely couple concluded.

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Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Archibishop Bernard Barsi, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Princess Gabriella of Monaco, Prince Jacques of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco attend The Baptism Of The Princely Children at The Monaco Cathedral

Along with the homage, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene posted two photos: a smiling shot of the archbishop and a throwback photo of the three of them in conversation outside the church.

source: people.com