Charles WILL be Defender of the Faith: Prince of Wales is fascinated by Islam and Judaism but will take Anglican vow when he's King, writes biographer ROBERT JOBSON

  • Queen Elizabeth is a devout Anglican but son Charles is interested in all faith 
  • In 1993 he said Islam can teach us ways of understanding Christianity has lost'
  • He told Jonathan Dimbleby he wants to be 'defender of faith' not 'the faith'  

By Robert Jobson For The Daily Mail

Published: | Updated:

Queen Elizabeth II, as we all know, is a devout High Church Anglican. 

Charles, on the other hand, has taken a great interest in other religions, studying both the Koran and Judaism in depth.

In 1993, for instance, he said: 'Islam can teach us today a way of understanding and living in the world which Christianity itself is poorer for having lost.'

This was widely quoted as proof that he had abandoned Christianity, though he remains a practising Anglican. 

Clearly, however, our next Supreme Governor of the Church of England plans to do the job a little differently.

Prince Charles (pictured with wife Camilla at a Sikh temple in Lahore, Pakistan)  has taken a great interest in other religions, studying both the Koran and Judaism in depth.

Prince Charles (pictured with wife Camilla at a Sikh temple in Lahore, Pakistan)  has taken a great interest in other religions, studying both the Koran and Judaism in depth.

'He is an individual who wants to chart new territory, and that will be very interesting indeed,' says Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury. 'He is very outspoken.'

The Prince certainly caused a furore when he told Jonathan Dimbleby that he wants to be seen as a 'Defender of Faith' when he ascends the throne, rather than 'Defender of the Faith'.

Since then, Charles's position on the wording to be used at his coronation has categorically changed. 

It has been made clear to me that Charles will 'absolutely 100 per cent' be named as 'Defender of the Faith' when he is crowned king.

But he will also demonstrate in his reign that he believes wholeheartedly in the importance of his connecting with all faiths of the subjects he will reign over.

Queen Elizabeth II (pictured last week at Buckingham Palace)  as we all know, however is a devout High Church Anglican

Queen Elizabeth II (pictured last week at Buckingham Palace)  as we all know, however is a devout High Church Anglican

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