The Prince of Wales “might not be at church every day” but believes in his duty to the Church of England.
Prince William, who was confirmed at the age of 14, has a “quiet” personal faith and intended to establish “a strong and meaningful bond with the Church and its leadership,” an aide told The Sunday Times.
The heir to the throne, 43, addressed his role as the future supreme governor of the Church of England amid questions about his commitment to the Christian faith.
His position on religion differs from that of his father, King Charles, and his late grandmother, Elizabeth II, both of whom took comfort from their faith and frequent church attendance.
Speaking ahead of the Prince attending the installation of Dame Sarah Mullally, the new Archbishop of Canterbury, on Wednesday, the aide said: “His feeling is that I might not be at church every day but I believe in it, I want to support it, and this is an important aspect of my role and the next role, and I will take it very seriously, in my own way.
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“This week is an opportunity to be very clear in people’s minds, when he walks into Canterbury Cathedral, where he stands. For him, it is a drawing of a line in the sand of where he’s at, and it’s really important that it [the question over his commitment to the Church] is cleared up.”
‘Not always fully understood’
The source added: “The Prince of Wales’s commitment to the Church of England is sometimes quieter than people expect, and for that reason it is not always fully understood.
“Those who know him well recognise that his connection to the Church, and to the sense of duty that comes with it, runs deep and is grounded in something personal and sincere. Faith, service and responsibility are themes that have long shaped the role he will inherit, and they will be things he approaches in his own thoughtful way.
“At a time when institutions can be seen simply through a social or cultural lens, he understands that the Church’s role goes beyond this. It is not only part of the nation’s heritage, but a living expression of faith, rooted in prayer, compassion and a belief in grace and redemption.”
The aide said that as William “looks ahead to the responsibilities he will one day assume as supreme governor, he is keen to build a strong and meaningful bond with the Church and its leadership, one that respects tradition while speaking to a modern Britain, and reflects his broader belief that institutions must continue to remain relevant and connected to the people they serve”.
In 2024, the Princess of Wales was said to have become “more interested” in her own faith since her cancer diagnosis.
The Princess, who has been in remission for more than a year, was described in a royal biography as having begun to differ from her husband on matters of religion and faith since she underwent chemotherapy.
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