The Prince of Wales has finally set the record straight on his religious beliefs just days ahead of a major outing with his wife, Kate.
The heir to the throne, 43, is not known for his Christian faith and, unlike his father and late grandmother, is not a regular churchgoer. But British monarchs serve as Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England. King Charles attends church, often at Sandringham or near Balmoral, most Sundays.
Over the weekend, after years of speculation, an aide to William said, as quoted in The Times: “The Prince of Wales’s commitment to the Church of England is sometimes quieter than people expect, and for that reason it is not always fully understood.
“Those who know him well recognise that his connection to the Church, and to the sense of duty that comes with it, runs deep and is grounded in something personal and sincere.
“Faith, service and responsibility are themes that have long-shaped the role he will one day inherit and they are things he approaches in his own thoughtful way.”
William was baptised at the age of six and confirmed when he was 14, just months before the death of his mother, Princess Diana, in 1997. He is said to believe in the church and see it as an important aspect of his future role as King, though he “might not be at church every day”. Instead, William is seen at church on important occasions, such as Christmas and Easter, and weddings.
© Andrew Parsons / Kensington PalacePrince William has confirmed his stance on religion
William and Kate’s outing just days away
The Prince and Princess of Wales will attend the upcoming installation of the Archbishop of Canterbury on March 25. Dame Sarah Mullally will deliver her first sermon in the role at Canterbury Cathedral in front of the royal couple, who will be representing the King. It is protocol for the heir to the throne to attend, rather than the reigning monarch.
The Prince and Princess previously held an audience at Lambeth Palace with Dame Sarah last month, discussing the work of the church and the Royal Foundation.
© Alamy Stock PhotoThe Prince and Princess of Wales meet with the Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally during an audience in the Archbishop’s study at Lambeth Palace, London
After the meeting, she shared: “It was a privilege to welcome the Prince and Princess of Wales to Lambeth Palace today. I know we hold the same hope for a better world, and I look forward to working together in the years to come. I will continue to hold them and their family in my prayers.”
The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, worked closely with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the run-up to their 2018 wedding in St George’s Chapel, Windsor, which he officiated.
However, in 2021, he denied that he’d actually married the couple privately three days earlier, in response to claims made by Meghan in their Oprah interview.
© Alamy Stock PhotoKing Charles goes to church most Sundays
A controversial debate
The Prince and Princess of Wales meet the new Archbishop of Canterbury
Historian Tom Holland, who co-hosts The Rest Is History podcast, told The Times that William needs to be a “believer” to become King, while some have seen William’s reflections as not going far enough.
Royal biographer Robert Hardman previously wrote that the Princess of Wales’s cancer diagnosis saw her become more interested in faith, leading to a split between the couple on the subject.
There had been concerns he would break from tradition and not take on the expected role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England when he one day becomes King.