General News for the Wales Family 3: March 2025-

[tommy100]

The difference is Charles was always doing lots before and after Easter- William isn’t. It is a holiday so of course they can do what they want and family time is important. The fact few knew Charles didn’t attend perhaps shows what doing a lot of public duties lets you get away with

 

[akina21]

Or he's just not religious and knows he has to fake it for years to come.

 

[Iluvbertie]

Charles didn’t attend Easter Service as heir .

Yes he did. He was regularly shown going to church in Scotland on Easter Sunday as he used to go to Scotland for Holy Week and the week after Easter Sunday. Charles spent more time in Scotland than many people realise - used to go up on Boxing Day and stay until mid-January, then up a week or so before Easter and stay for two weeks and go to church there before going back up in early August and staying until mid-October.

Whereas the late Queen used to spend just over two months in Scotland Charles would spend about four months there and as King he also often goes up for a week or so at various times during the year. He was in Scotland, for instance, last weekend and seen going to church at Balmoral. He had to return to England for Maundy Thursday and will stay until after the Easter service on Sunday and then may very well go back to Scotland for next week.

I don't care where William goes to church. I am simply saying he should be going as the future Supreme Governor of the CoE and ensure George is along as well.

 

[Iluvbertie]

I hadn’t realised that Charles didn’t attend the Easter services on a regular basis before he became monarch. I’m sure the King is fully supportive of his son’s desire to hold on to these precious early years for private family time.
I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s an Easter themed release of some kind from Kensington Palace to help placate our wishes to see the family together. It won’t better seeing the family all together at the Easter service of course.

He did - but in Scotland.

He would go to Birkhall for the two weeks either side of Easter and would go to Craithie Church for Easter Sunday services. He was photographed going there - as he was last Sunday.

He actually attends church on a regular basis most Sundays. In the early years of his marriage to Camilla there were often pictures of him going to church in Tetbury near Highgrove.

 

[Iluvbertie]

The difference is Charles was always doing lots before and after Easter- William isn’t. It is a holiday so of course they can do what they want and family time is important. The fact few knew Charles didn’t attend perhaps shows what doing a lot of public duties lets you get away with

Actually Charles has usually had the week either side of Easter as down weeks and spends that time in Scotland as he did last weekend when and and Camilla were seen at church at Birkhall. Since becoming King he has had to be in England for Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday but otherwise he is usually in Scotland for the weeks around Easter.

 

[oldetonian]

Yes he did. He was regularly shown going to church in Scotland on Easter Sunday as he used to go to Scotland for Holy Week and the week after Easter Sunday. Charles spent more time in Scotland than many people realise - used to go up on Boxing Day and stay until mid-January, then up a week or so before Easter and stay for two weeks and go to church there before going back up in early August and staying until mid-October.

Whereas the late Queen used to spend just over two months in Scotland Charles would spend about four months there and as King he also often goes up for a week or so at various times during the year. He was in Scotland, for instance, last weekend and seen going to church at Balmoral. He had to return to England for Maundy Thursday and will stay until after the Easter service on Sunday and then may very well go back to Scotland for next week.

I don't care where William goes to church. I am simply saying he should be going as the future Supreme Governor of the CoE and ensure George is along as well.

The Church of Scotland is not the Church of England. He is not head of the Church of Scotland and it isn’t Anglican.

 

[tommy100]

Actually Charles has usually had the week either side of Easter as down weeks and spends that time in Scotland as he did last weekend when and and Camilla were seen at church at Birkhall. Since becoming King he has had to be in England for Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday but otherwise he is usually in Scotland for the weeks around Easter.

Yes but my point was not about Easter per se but doing more public duties throughout the year means people don’t notice as much when you skip one big set piece event.

 

[Luc122]

Perhaps to add a new perspective for the decision of Prince William - the disease itself is horrid but the Prince is quite young and starting life with a family whose children are still school aged. On the other hand, his father, the King is well into his prime with adult children. Having lost a parent at such a tender age and to have his wife face this disease - he may be facing the stark reality that he too might become a single father much like his own father. One prays this cancer continues in remission but one cannot tell the future.

 

[muriel]

I am not quite sure what the issue is. The Wales family is entitled to spend the rest of the Easter break at Anmer. As has been pointed out, Charles was rarely at Windsor over Easter.

As far as William's churchgoing habits, one has to find ones own faith. And when one is ready for it. William is conscience of his future role. Few Anglicans in the UK are regular churchgoers, and I suspect William does not feel the need to go every Sunday. That said, that is a personal matter for him, and one that does not necessarily concern us.

 

[sophie25]

No one knows if they are going to Amner but the media keep saying that. I would be more inclined to think they will be at Kate's parents house with her siblings and neices and nephews.

 

[Curryong]

Well, if they are then the entire household would be able to go to church. There is a church near Kate’s family’s home.

Is William going to be an active ceremonial Head of the Church of England when his time comes? It appears not. And what about George and setting an example for the future?

 

[Hallo girl]

Well, if they are then the entire household would be able to go to church. There is a church near Kate’s family’s home.

Is William going to be an active ceremonial Head of the Church of England when his time comes? It appears not. And what about George and setting an example for the future?

We really do not know any of this for sure, this is all just supposition and guesswork.

 

[Curryong]

It’s not guesswork that William and Kate are not regular churchgoers apart from certain RF occasions. That’s been noted by royal commentators for several years.

If they were ordinary UK citizens it wouldn’t matter. No-one would care. Church-going in the C of E is extremely low, in England ,especially among the 40s and-under demographic, and few nominal Anglicans (baptised so) would describe themselves as being ultra religious .

It does matter, I would suggest, when you are a future ceremonial Head of the Church of England (as your elder son will be in his turn) and your forbears have borne that title for hundreds of years.

 

[Iluvbertie]

The Church of Scotland is not the Church of England. He is not head of the Church of Scotland and it isn’t Anglican.

The Church of Scotland is 'in communion with the Church of England' and so that is a satisfactory church to attend for members of the Church of England (don't forget that a number of Supreme Governors weren't CoE - James VI and I was presbyterian, George I and II were both Lutherans but as both those churches are 'in communion with the CoE there was no problem.)

Charles isn't the 'head of the Church of England' either. He is however the one who protects the rights of the Church of Scotland and he promised to do that before he promised to do anything in the Church of England - protect the Church of Scotland at his accession council while promises for the Church of England had to wait until his coronation. He may be an ordinary member of the Church of Scotland but he does protect its rights under both Scottish and British laws.

 

[Hallo girl]

It’s not guesswork that William and Kate are not regular churchgoers apart from certain RF occasions. That’s been noted by royal commentators for several years.

If they were ordinary UK citizens it wouldn’t matter. No-one would care. Church-going in the C of E is extremely low, in England ,especially among the 40s and-under demographic, and few nominal Anglicans (baptised so) would describe themselves as being ultra religious .

It does matter, I would suggest, when you are a future ceremonial Head of the Church of England (as your elder son will be in his turn) and your forbears have borne that title for hundreds of years.

So what you are saying is that there is absolutely no chance whatsoever that William attends church privately. I have no idea if he does or doesn’t, but maybe you have access to that information. As for royal commentators, well some are reliable others not so.
I am sure Charles was criticised in a similar way some years ago.
I just view this as another stick to beat William with.

 

[Curryong]

Charles has never been criticised for not attending Church. And I’m not beating anybody. Just posting what I have observed about William and his lack of enthusiasm for church attendance over quite a few years.

 

[TLLK]

I am not quite sure what the issue is. The Wales family is entitled to spend the rest of the Easter break at Anmer. As has been pointed out, Charles was rarely at Windsor over Easter.

As far as William's churchgoing habits, one has to find ones own faith. And when one is ready for it. William is conscience of his future role. Few Anglicans in the UK are regular churchgoers, and I suspect William does not feel the need to go every Sunday. That said, that is a personal matter for him, and one that does not necessarily concern us.

I have to agree that any person's faith journey is a very personal matter and that the Prince of Wales is aware of his future role with the Church of England.

 

[Curryong]

If William is very well aware of his future role in the Church of England one would have thought that attending an Easter service with his father the King and the rest of his family would be a useful beginning. Considering that Easter is a hugely important week in Christian churches all over the world.

 

[HRHHermione]

We could always wait and see what the Wales family actually does for Easter rather than anticipating what they’ll do based on press rumors and reacting in advance.

 

[Curryong]

I certainly hope to see the Wales family attending Church this Ester weekend, perhaps at Sandringham.

 

[HenRach Dominion]

I wouldn’t worry too much. If there’s a huge public backlash against TRH Wales not being there, they’ll be there next year. If not, then their appearance wasn’t necessary in the first place.

 

[caethi]

We have no idea of a person's spiritual life, and parading to church does not necessarily reflect how one feels about God, church, or religion. Many people find it preferable to keep their spiritual practices private. William has no public role related to the C of E at present. If he and his family choose to spend Easter away from the public eye, then that is what works best for their family and there is no reason to criticize. Further, I suggest that for a lot of people, seeing the BRF going to church on a major holiday has more to do with photo ops and fashion reviews than any recognition of spiritual leadership.

 

[shady lady]

We have no idea of a person's spiritual life, and parading to church does not necessarily reflect how one feels about God, church, or religion. Many people find it preferable to keep their spiritual practices private. William has no public role related to the C of E at present. If he and his family choose to spend Easter away from the public eye, then that is what works best for their family and there is no reason to criticize. Further, I suggest that for a lot of people, seeing the BRF going to church on a major holiday has more to do with photo ops and fashion reviews than any recognition of spiritual leadership.

Well said!

How the Wales family choose to spend this Easter and how they chose to practice their religious beliefs during this time, is their business. It should not be used as an opportunity for predictable and unjust criticism.

 

[muriel]

We have no idea of a person's spiritual life, and parading to church does not necessarily reflect how one feels about God, church, or religion. Many people find it preferable to keep their spiritual practices private. William has no public role related to the C of E at present. If he and his family choose to spend Easter away from the public eye, then that is what works best for their family and there is no reason to criticize. Further, I suggest that for a lot of people, seeing the BRF going to church on a major holiday has more to do with photo ops and fashion reviews than any recognition of spiritual leadership.

Well said. Being of the faith and being religious does not always mean going to church.

 

[HenRach Dominion]

On the one hand, HRH The Prince of Wales is an individual who was born in a unique circumstance that come with as much expectations as privileges. One of these expectations is that in the future, he will be the Defender of the Faith, and this is in spite of his own beliefs and religious practices. It seems like an unfair position to be put in, especially since most people have the privilege of privacy with regards to their spirituality.

On the other hand, this is a Royals’ forum, and many of the posters come from countries he will represent in the future. For those who are believers, their faith is very important to them, and I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect that there future king holds it in similar regard.

What I do think is unreasonable is assuming that HRH The Prince of Wales has no spiritual inclination based solely on not publicly going to church with his father. That seems like a stretch.

Overall, people have a right, especially in a forum, to criticize what they see as a spiritual failing in HRH The Prince of Wales. But HRH The Prince of Wales has the right to do whatever he wants. Until he’s king, he’s not beholden to anyone but himself.

 

[Alison H]

The population of England is around 58 million. Fewer than 700,000 people regularly attend Church of England services, and fewer than 940,000 attended services last Easter. I have friends who are regular attendees and I appreciate that their faith is important to them, but they are in a small minority. That's not only with respect to people who identify as Anglican: few people who identify as any denomination or religion regularly attend services, and most people now identify as non-religious. I honestly doubt that many people will be bothered about whether or not William attends an Easter service.

On the one hand, HRH The Prince of Wales is an individual who was born in a unique circumstance that come with as much expectations as privileges. One of these expectations is that in the future, he will be the Defender of the Faith, and this is in spite of his own beliefs and religious practices. It seems like an unfair position to be put in, especially since most people have the privilege of privacy with regards to their spirituality.

Agreed. We'll see what happens in the future.

 

[Hallo girl]

Charles has never been criticised for not attending Church. And I’m not beating anybody. Just posting what I have observed about William and his lack of enthusiasm for church attendance over quite a few years.

I do recall during the early years of the marriage to Diana that it was noted in the uk press that they were not attending church. Now it probably was not a big enough story to be international and obviously before Social Media and discussion forums. I had actually forgotten until this recent frenzy on here about William and church that I do recall similar comments in the media all those years ago. But this is the Wales thread not the KIngs so we are probably going off topic.

 

[Ghost]

It’s not guesswork that William and Kate are not regular churchgoers apart from certain RF occasions. That’s been noted by royal commentators for several years.

If they were ordinary UK citizens it wouldn’t matter. No-one would care. Church-going in the C of E is extremely low, in England ,especially among the 40s and-under demographic, and few nominal Anglicans (baptised so) would describe themselves as being ultra religious .

It does matter, I would suggest, when you are a future ceremonial Head of the Church of England (as your elder son will be in his turn) and your forbears have borne that title for hundreds of years.

Which means (if right) that William is representative for the generations for which he will be King?

 

[Somebody]

And Catherine was only confirmed a month before their wedding, so going to church wasn't an important part of her upbringing either.

 

[Countessmeout]

Sorry but when you have an extreme life of privilege in return for a ceremonial role, attending church once in a blue moon isn't too much to ask.

[.....] William hasn't even stepped up to the basic role of Prince of Wales. Yeah you have kids, guess what people work with kids. If the royal family is going to downsize, then those left actually need to step up and do their work.

Okay so they spend Easter at Amner. There is a church there. Go to Easter church. Even people who aren't overly religious, go to church on holidays. Yes Charles rarely went to church at Windsor before king at Easter. But he went. Durham, York, etc he went on Easter.

Charles: in his time as POW created his own foundation and used the time to devote to his own personal passions as Prince, when not also having to do ceremonial roles as monarch.

William: as prince of Wales is playing part time royal 'well I am not monarch yet' and while they have their foundation, its basically just a way to organize other people's charities they are patrons of.

The way to show 'its a monarchy of the future' is not to 'we do less for as much money if not more'. Its modernized ways of doing work.