The King appears to have distanced himself from his oath to be “Defender of the Faith”.
Charles III swore a coronation oath to be “Defender of the Faith”, as all monarchs have done in Britain for 500 years. Last year’s Sovereign Grant Report referred to “His Majesty’s role as Head of the Church of England and Defender of the Faith, including the protection of all faiths”.
But this year’s report states: “His Majesty is Supreme Governor of the Church of England and protects the space for Faith within the multi-faith nation.”
This aspect of his role was not mentioned in the 2023/24 report.
Fully committed?
The new wording adds to concerns that His Majesty is not fully committed to the Crown’s historic Protestant convictions.
In the years before becoming King, the then Prince Charles controversially suggested taking the title “Defender of the Faiths [plural]” or “Defender of Faith”.
The remarks sparked public debate over whether this would lead to the disestablishment of the Church of England. This was never implemented, but his coronation was the first in British history to involve representatives from Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and Buddhist communities.
Last year, the King held an ecumenical service with the Pope and hosted a ceremony at Highgrove Gardens with ‘blessings’ and incantations in honour of ‘mother earth’.
‘Worrying’
The Christian Institute’s Director Ciarán Kelly commented: “Christianity, not some multi-faith mish-mash, is the bedrock of our nation’s laws and culture. God’s good design for society leads to flourishing for all, not just Christian believers.
“This latest move seems designed to convey the message that Christianity is just one religion among many, and that all are equally valid.
“They are not. The Bible states that no one comes to the Father except through the Son.”