William committed to church if not regular attendee
The Prince of Wales is affiliated with the Church of England, even though he does not attend services regularly. A royal aide said William was warned he would have to be “a believer” to become King.
The heir to the throne is not known for his Christian faith and, unlike his father and late grandmother, is not a regular churchgoer.
Royal author Robert Hardman wrote in 2024 that William “had great respect for the institutions” but was “not instinctively comfortable in the environment of faith,” according to a senior Palace official.
However, English monarchs serve as Defenders of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
Perhaps in an attempt to answer questions about his faith, an aide to William said: “The Prince of Wales’s devotion to the Church of England is sometimes quieter than people expect, and is therefore not always fully understood.
“Those who know him well know that his connection to the Church and the sense of duty that goes with it is deep and based on something personal and intimate.
“Faith, service and responsibility are themes that have long shaped the role he will one day take on, and they are things he approaches with his own thoughtful approach.”
His aide spoke of a recent meeting between William and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, at whose official installation the prince will attend next week.
“The Prince recently had a warm and meaningful conversation with the new archbishop, which reflects his genuine interest not only in the work of the Church but also in his role as guardian of a distinct and ancient British spiritual tradition that remains relevant to contemporary life.” they said.
“He understands that at a time when institutions can only be viewed from a social or cultural perspective, the Church’s role goes beyond that. It is not only part of the nation’s heritage, but also a living expression of faith based on prayer, compassion, and faith in grace and salvation.”
A source close to Dame Sarah said: “We’d love to have the (future) paramount governor in church every Sunday, but there’s a need to be practical about the fact they’re a couple with young children.”
William’s aide added that the prince was “keen to forge a strong and meaningful connection” with the Church.
“Staying true to her character, she approaches these relationships as her true self,” they said.
“As he looks ahead to the responsibilities he will one day take on as Supreme Governor, he is keen to build a strong and meaningful connection with the Church and its leadership, respects tradition as it speaks to a modern Britain, and reflects his wider belief that institutions must continue to remain relevant and connected to the people they serve.
“He understands the importance of the role he will inherit and is committed to carrying it forward with sincerity, authenticity and a clear sense of purpose.”
Historian Tom Holland, co-host of The Rest Is History podcast, told The Times that William had to be “a believer” to become King.
“Being a believer, or at least appearing convincingly to be a believer, is a job requirement, a necessary qualification; if William fails that, he cannot truly be King,” he said.
“The King is an anointed king. Unless you are a Christian yourself, this anointing is nothing but nonsense. And the Protestant settlement is what underpins the whole constitutional structure of the relationship between the Crown and parliament, so this is not a trivial, insignificant detail, but one of the cornerstones of the constitution.”
