For several years, there has been heightened speculation that William could be the first British monarch in five centuries to break official ties with the Church of England by not taking on the title of Supreme Governor of the Church of England when he eventually becomes King.
‘He [William] is a modern young man,’ a source previously told Mr Hardman.
‘I think he gets embarrassed by certain aspects of ceremonial and religion.’
Meanwhile, a senior Palace figure said: ‘His father is very spiritual and happy to talk about faith but the Prince is not. He doesn’t go to church every Sunday, but then nor do the large majority of the country. He might go at Christmas and Easter but that’s it.
‘He very much respects the institutions but he is not instinctively comfortable in a faith environment.’
William, 41, was confirmed into the Anglican faith in 1997, when he was 14, but is understood to only attend a ‘handful’ of services each year, mainly connected with official engagements or on special occasions in the Christian calendar, as well as weddings and christenings.
However, ahead of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s enthronement, a source close to the prince recently told The Sunday Times that it is ‘really important’ to clarify William’s stance on religion.
They added: ‘His feeling is, “I might not be at church every day, but I believe in it, I want to support it, and this is an important aspect of my role and the next role, and I will take it seriously, in my own way”.’
An aide to William said: ‘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.’
4. King Charles
A regular churchgoer, King Charles has embraced his role as a modern monarch and spoken openly about his interest in other religions.
Despite holding the traditional title of Supreme Governor of the Church of England, Charles has presented himself as a ‘defender of all faiths’, and frequently hosted faith leaders and activists at Buckingham Palace.
Before he was officially crowned, the royal delivered a speech in 2022 in which he emphasised the need to protect other religions, later addressing this directly during his coronation.
When the King’s Coronation arrived in May 2023, the event included a procession of faith leaders.
In his first address to the nation upon the death of Queen Elizabeth II he spoke of his responsibility to the Church of England.
When he was diagnosed with cancer in early 2024, Charles too reportedly relied on his faith as a source of comfort.
Shortly after the news of his illness broke, the King was pictured walking to St Mary Magdalene Church for a Sunday service.
5. Queen Elizabeth II
Throughout her life, Queen Elizabeth II held her Christian faith dear after first attending church with her parents, the Queen Mother and King George VI, as a child – and she once said her religion was ‘an inspiration and anchor’ during her reign.
The Monarch’s dedication to her religion no doubt helped her through some of the most difficult times in her life – particularly after the loss of her husband Prince Philip in April last year.
During her Christmas Day address to the nation in 2021, Her Majesty paid tribute to her late husband for his devotion to her and dedication to public service throughout his life.
Later in the speech, she spoke of how the story of Christ helped her, and many others around the world, appreciate new beginnings.
During 70 years of her reign, the Queen’s Christmas Day speeches invoked Biblical references to the story of the birth of Christ, as well as other stories including the Good Samaritan.
As the world prepared to ring in the new Millennium in the year 2000, the Monarch used her Christmas Day address to honour the birth of Christ once more.
She said: ‘Today we are celebrating the fact that Jesus Christ was born 2,000 years ago; this is the true millennium anniversary.’
The monarch added: ‘For me, the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life.
‘I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ’s words and example.’
