Defender of the Faith

[tiaraprin]

When the title of Defender of the Faith was bestowed on Henry VIII by Pope Leo X for his defense of Catholicism against Martin Luther, it was a much coveted title. However, when Henry overthrew the Pope's authority and created his own church (albeit a very Catholic one), doesn't it make you think that as a Monarch the title of Defender of the Faith should have been relinquished? It was a title bestowed by the Catholic Pope. This title continues down to Elizabeth II today who is the Temporal Head of the Anglican Church.

I want to hear what others have to say about this issue. This is not meant to be an attack on religion, but the discussion of why the British Monarch retains a title given by the Pope nearly 500 years ago.