THE Prince of Wales’s connection to the Church of England “runs deep and is grounded in something personal and sincere”, an aide told The Sunday Times this week.
Three days before the Prince and Princess of Wales were due to attend the enthronement of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the newspaper reported the aide as saying that Prince William’s “commitment to the Church of England is sometimes quieter than people expect, and for that reason it is not always fully understood”.
The aide continued: “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 one day inherit, and they are 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.”
A “source close to the prince” told The Sunday Times that his attendance at the enthronement was an “opportunity to be very clear” where he stood.
“His feeling is, ‘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.’”
The Prince and Princess of Wales met Archbishop Mullally in Lambeth Palace on 5 February. After the meeting, Archbishop Mullally said that it had been “a privilege” to welcome them to the Palace. “I know we hold the same hope for a better world and I look forward to working together in the years to come. I will continue to hold them and their family in my prayers.”
A “royal aide” told The Sunday Times this week that the Prince and the Archbishop had had “a warm and substantive conversation”, which reflected “his genuine interest not only in the Church’s work, but in its role as a guardian of a distinctive and ancient English spiritual tradition that remains relevant in contemporary life”.
The newspaper reported a “source close to [Archbishop] Mullally” as saying that the meeting had led to “significantly increased communication” between Kensington Palace and Lambeth Palace. “The Prince and Princess both feel it’s important to build up that relationship and a new archbishop is a really great opportunity for that. She’s also an Aston Villa fan, which helps.”
The Lambeth source continued: “The Prince and the Archbishop are both passionate about it [the Church] not being a private members’ club and making it accessible and relevant. The improving relationship is wonderful and enables us to help defend and understand the Prince’s position. We would love the [future] Supreme Governor to be at church every Sunday, but one has to be practical around the fact that they are a couple with young children.”