Is King Charles III a ‘real’ Christian? A look at the monarch’s faith

Our soon-to-be-crowned monarch is walking the tightrope with his statements about faith, but will he turn the great British nation into a circus or will he act as a wonderful ringmaster, pointing us back to Christ?

Queen Elizabeth II was known for her public declarations of faith. She was clearly a believer in Jesus Christ, and her devotion to God inspired the way she served the church and the nation. Like the circus ringmaster, whose job it is to stir up the audience for the most impressive performers, the Queen exhorted the British public – and those living far beyond our shores – to believe, pray and act.

Nearly 30 years ago, Charles controversially described himself as a "defender of faith" rather than "Defender of the Faith" – a title his mother wore proudly. He suggested that choosing one religion over another often brought division, and that "we’re all actually aiming for the same ultimate goal". Championing those of all faiths, he claimed "the pattern of the divine" could be found throughout humankind.