Prince William is set to maintain his ties with the Church of England when he ascends to the throne, according to palace officials who have dismissed recent claims suggesting otherwise. The Prince, currently the Duke of Cambridge, is expected to continue the centuries-old tradition of assuming the title of Supreme Governor of the Church of England when he becomes King.
According to The Daily Express, Speculation arose after the release of Robert Hardman’s biography, “Charles III: New King, New Court. The Inside Story,” which suggested that Prince William may lack the same “unshakeable devotion” to the Anglican church exhibited by his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. Hardman’s book hinted at a potential shift in the role that has been traditionally associated with the British monarch.
A senior palace figure addressed the claims, acknowledging that Prince William may not share the same level of spiritual inclination as his father, King Charles. The source highlighted that Prince William, like many in the country, doesn’t attend church every Sunday but respects the institutions. The Prince is described as not being instinctively comfortable in a faith environment, attending church primarily during Christmas and Easter.
Responding to these comments, the late Queen Elizabeth’s former chaplain, Dr. Gavin Ashenden, suggested that if Prince William is not willing to become the head of the Church of England, he should consider abdicating the throne. Dr. Ashenden accused Prince Charles of not fully grasping the monarchy’s ties to Christianity and urged him to either accept his role or step aside.
However, palace officials, as reported by the Times, have dismissed these suggestions, emphasizing that Prince William has no plans to deviate from the sovereign’s unique role within the Anglican faith upon his accession. The sources clarified that discussions about William cutting ties and abandoning the Supreme Governor role have not taken place.
The role of the Supreme Governor of the Church of England is a historic title bestowed upon the reigning monarch, symbolizing the close relationship between the British monarchy and the Church.
Despite occasional discussions and speculations about potential changes, Prince William’s commitment to this role aligns with the longstanding traditions of the British monarchy. As the Prince continues his journey towards becoming King, the role he will play in the Church of England remains an integral aspect of the monarchy’s historical and cultural significance.
