Since Prince William became the Prince of Wales, he and his wife have stepped up their game. Though he still doesn’t compare to Princess Anne in the number of engagements he does, Prince William has managed to ramp up his engagements from 126 in 2022 to 176 in 2023.
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One of the most memorable moments of 2023 for the heir was a trip to Singapore for the Earthshot Prize. While he was there, the Prince gave an interview in which he explained his desire to do more than any other royal has ever done. He stated that ‘rather than just being patron I want to do more’.
Now, months later, royal author Robert Hardman claims in his new book that Prince William could choose to break tradition in a major way.
Robert Hardman’s claims about Prince William
Hardman’s new book is another unauthorised biography called Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story. Before its official release on Thursday 18 January 2024, the author - who is also a Daily Mail columnist - had struck a deal to see excerpts from his book shared in the publication.
The experts have been making waves since the weekend of 13 January, especially concerning new claims about Queen Elizabeth’s last moments and Prince Harry and Meghan naming their daughter Lilibet.
In the newest instalment of the series, Hardman alleged that Prince William ‘could become the first British monarch in five centuries to break official ties with the Church of England.’ Hardman explains:
In royal circles, it is no secret that he does not share the King's sense of the spiritual, let alone the late Queen's unshakeable devotion to the Anglican church.
A ‘senior palace figure’ supposedly said to Hardman that Prince William ‘doesn't go to church every Sunday, but then nor do the large majority of the country.’ This ‘palace figure’ added:
He very much respects the institutions but he is not instinctively comfortable in a faith environment.
An aide also claims Prince William is ‘one of the least ideological people’ he’s ever met.
The British monarchy and the Church of England
The two institutions are intimately tied. As the Royal Family’s website explains, ‘The Sovereign holds the title 'Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England'.’
This tradition dates back to ‘the reign of King Henry VIII’. The relationship between the monarch and the Church was made evident at the coronation when King Charles was anointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The sovereign also takes an oath ‘to maintain and preserve inviolably the settlement of the Church of England’.
Not only that, appointing Archbishops, Bishops and Deans is the responsibility of the monarch.
This link between the monarchy and the Church is one of the pillars of the British Monarchy. Though Hardman seems to have spoken to sources who hint at a detachment, such a claim that he would ‘break official ties’ looks farfetched.
Do you think Prince William could actually do it?
Read more:
⋙ King Charles must say goodbye to his most senior aide due to tradition
⋙ Will King Charles stop this extreme royal tradition that has a worrying impact on UK's history?
Sources:
Hello!: Prince William wants to 'go a step further' than royal family to support his causes
Hello!: Prince William will be a 'radical' and 'relevant' monarch – exclusive
Daily Mail: Could Prince William be first monarch in five centuries NOT to be head of the Church of England? Future King isn't a regular churchgoer and 'is not instinctively comfortable in a faith environment'
