Concerns raised after King Charles III appears to drop title 'Defender of the Faith' from annual review
Concerns have been raised after King Charles III dropped his title of "Defender of the faith" as Supreme Governor of the Church of England in favour of a role in support of all religions.
The debate was sparked by the recent publication of the Royal family’s annual financial review, the Sovereign Grant report 2025-26.
Last year it described his ecclesiastical role as "Head of the Church of England and Defender of the Faith, including the protection of all faiths".
It now says the King is "Supreme Governor of the Church of England and protects the space for Faith within the multi-faith nation".
The latest report has dropped his title of "Defender of the Faith", which is traditionally understood to relate to the Christian faith.
It is understood that the change relates purely to how the King himself defines his role, but it is not known if he might press at some point for a legislative change.
Before the King’s coronation, there was debate over whether he would choose to be “Defender of Faith” in the plural, rather than “the Faith” as his Christian ancestors had been. In the event, he chose the traditional wording.
However, he has made interfaith dialogue one of the cornerstones of his working life, both as Prince of Wales and now as King.
The Christian Institute, a faith based public affairs charity, said that the King "appears to have distanced himself from his oath to be 'Defender of the Faith'”.
Director Ciarán Kelly said: “Christianity, not some multi-faith mish-mash, is the bedrock of our nation’s laws and culture. God’s good design for society leads to flourishing for all, not just Christian believers.
“This latest move seems designed to convey the message that Christianity is just one religion among many, and that all are equally valid.
“They are not. The Bible states that no one comes to the Father except through the Son.”
The organisation said that Charles swore a coronation oath to be 'Defender of the Faith', as all monarchs have done in Britain for 500 years.
"The new wording adds to concerns that His Majesty is not fully committed to the Crown’s historic Protestant convictions.”
The charity added: "Last year, the King held an ecumenical service with the Pope and hosted a ceremony at Highgrove Gardens with ‘blessings’ and incantations in honour of ‘mother earth’."
But Canon Ian Ellis, formerly editor of The Church of Ireland Gazette, was more relaxed about the change.
“The King's desire to reach out to all faiths is commendable in a United Kingdom that has become very much a multi-faith society," he said.
"The reported new description of the monarch as Supreme Governor of the Church of England and one who protects the space for faith within the multi-faith nation does broaden the definition from Defender of the Faith, understood as the Christian faith.
"However, I do not see this as a threat to Christianity in this country. The promotion of the Christian faith does not require special treatment from monarchs or governments.
"The Christian faith stands on its on two feet. However, Christianity, along with other faiths, does require the freedom of religion or belief which is a basic human right and must be defended."
Buckingham Palace and the Church of England were both invited to comment.