Prince William rumoured to be “toying” with ending religious coronation oath

Prince William is rumoured to be considering foregoing the religious oaths at his coronation, which could lead to separation of religion and state.

An unknown source recently told the Mail on Sunday that William is "toying with the idea of abolishing the religious oaths of the Coronation – potentially leading to the disestablishment of the Church of England".

British monarchs must swear to maintain the Church of England at their coronation, which is itself an Anglican ceremony. They must also swear they are a "faithful Protestant". Catholics are explicitly prohibited from becoming monarch.

The monarch also holds the title 'Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England'.

At his coronation in 2023, King Charles swore on a Bible to "maintain and preserve inviolably the settlement of the Church of England" and to "preserve unto the Bishops and Clergy of England, and to the Churches there committed to their charge, all such rights and privileges as by law".

Removing these oaths would therefore call the established status of the Church into question.

Twenty-six Church of England bishops sit in the House of Lords as of right due to this settlement. The Government announced on Thursday its plans for removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords, but these do not consider the bishops.

William – the first in line to the throne – is understood to be considerably less religious than Charles.

In 2022, the University College London Constitution Unit suggested coronations be made more secular, including by removing pledges to preserve the Church of England.

The National Secular Society has consistently campaigned for a secular head of state, in addition to disestablishing the Church of England and removing bishops from the House of Lords.

Recent censuses have revealed Christians are a minority in Britain, while figures from the Church of England indicate less than 2% of people in England attend regular CofE services.

NSS: Abolishing of religious coronation oaths "should be welcomed"

NSS head of campaigns Megan Manson said: "If Prince William wants a less religious approach to monarchy, this would indeed be far more reflective of the British population, which is no longer predominately Christian and is increasingly nonreligious.

"Ultimately, only full separation of religion and state, including between the Church of England and our head of state, can ensure all people in the UK are regarded as equal citizens.

"Abolishing the religious coronation oaths, together with other moves towards disestablishment, should be welcomed."