King Charles has sparked fresh debate after Buckingham Palace reportedly used different wording to describe one of the monarch’s traditional religious roles.
According to GB News, the King’s customary title, “Defender of the Faith,” was replaced in this year’s Sovereign Grant Annual Report with the phrase, “Protector of the Space for Faith within the Multi-faith Nation.”
The change drew criticism from Gavin Ashenden, a former chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II, who argued that it conflicted with the King’s Coronation commitments.
Ashenden, who served as a royal chaplain for nearly a decade, expressed concern over the reported wording and claimed the monarch had moved away from his Christian allegiance.
“He has deserted Christian allegiance, turned his back on his Coronation oath,” Ashenden said.
He also suggested that some critics were questioning whether the King’s approach could affect his ability to carry out his constitutional role.
The comments stand in contrast to remarks made earlier this year by Dame Sarah Mullally, the Archbishop of Canterbury. In January, she described her conversations with King Charles as “encouraging” and said he had shown himself to be “a great supporter” of the Church.
As Supreme Governor of the Church of England, the King holds a formal role in the institution while also long advocating for respect between people of different faiths.
