Prince William could break ties with the Church of England, a royal author has claimed.
Robert Hardman, whose new book The Making of a King: King Charles III and the Modern Monarchy will be released on January 18, has argued that the Prince of Wales may not follow in his father's and grandmother's footsteps by becoming the Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
According to an excerpt in the book, there is speculation that William, 41, may not take the title.
The title has been affiliated with British sovereigns since King Henry VIII in the 1530s, who broke away from the Roman Catholic Church.
Prince William could break ties with Church of England
Getty
Hardman wrote: “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.
"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.
Prince William joining the Royal Family at a church service on Christmas Day
PA"He very much respects the institutions but he is not instinctively comfortable in a faith environment."
Prince William recently stepped out to attend church at St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham on Christmas Day with his wife Kate and their children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five.
The Prince and Princess of Wales joined other members of the Royal Family for the outing which has took place traditionally for generations.
Queen Elizabeth II was known to attend church weekly throughout her 70-year reign.
The King promised to maintain the Protestant faith and the Church of England during his Coronation ceremony
PALATEST ROYAL NEWS:
Queen Elizabeth was a devout Christian who attended church weekly during her reign
PAAccording to reports, her “straightforward” faith kept her morale going during the pandemic.
King Charles automatically became Supreme Governor of the Church of England upon his accession following the death of his mother in September 2022.
He described his faith as “deeply rooted” in the Church of England in his first speech as sovereign the following day.
The King, 75, has long shown an interest in interfaith relations. But he promised to maintain the Protestant faith and the Church of England during his Coronation ceremony on May 6, 2023.