King Charles has been slammed by the late Queen's former Chaplain Dr Gavin Ashenden, after sharing a "disrespectful" Easter message on Maundy Thursday.
The monarch is facing swathes of criticism after choosing to reflect on Judaism and Islam in his message - on a holiday that celebrates Christianity.
King Charles said: "On Maundy Thursday, Jesus knelt and washed the feet of many of those who would abandon Him. His humble action was a token of His love that knew no bounds or boundaries and is central to Christian belief.
"The love He showed when He walked the Earth reflected the Jewish ethic of caring for the stranger and those in need, a deep human instinct echoed in Islam and other religious traditions, and in the hearts of all who seek the good of others."
Gavin Ashenden has hit out at King Charles's Easter message
GB News / PA
Discussing the message on GB News, Ashenden said the monarch has caused "more trouble than help" with his decision.
Ashenden said: "It would be nice if we could say 'how wonderful' and welcome it with generosity, but the trouble is, it causes more trouble than it than it helps.
"The fact is that it's offensive, partly to Jews and also to Christians, because this is a Christian festival, and it presupposes there are no differences that are essential between Christianity and Islam."
He then explained: "There are some very real problems. Last year, I think over 4000 Christians were killed worldwide by Muslims, and this isn't an isolated thing. This is an ongoing act of antagonism between a faith that follows a warlord and a faith that follows Jesus.
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King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived at Durham Cathedral to begin Easter celebrations this yearGetty"And to synthesise them together as though they are equivalent, really, it's a theological mistake, but it's also a mistake of hospitality."
Expressing sympathy for British Christians who celebrate Easter, Ashenden claimed that King Charles "owes his subjects more than fiction", and will be "profoundly difficult" for those in suffering communities.
He stated: "The King owes his Christian subjects more than to enter into this fiction, and it's profoundly difficult for anyone who's close to suffering communities.
"He talks so much about about different faiths and religions, it almost seems as though he doesn't have his own religion. It's almost as though he subscribes to all of these religions, he goes that far."
Ashenden told GB News that the King 'owes his subjects more than fiction'
GB News
Noting the significance of Easter, Ashenden concluded that the King should be highlighting "what is special" about Christianity, instead of other faiths.
He told GB News: "It does seem as though he sort of just wants to be a part of every religion. Jesus said, I'm the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the father but by me. And the reason for that is no other religion features God as a father - it's a uniquely Christian thing.
"Now all religions have things in common and share ethics. But at Easter, he should be saying, this is what's special about Christianity. Jesus is so compelling, so important. He's not the same as Muhammad."
He stated: "And to send out a Christian message suggesting that there's no real difference between them - well, it's disrespectful, I'm afraid."
