Prince William Could Break 500-Year Royal Family Tradition: 'Prince Is Not Spiritual,' Biographer Says

Prince William could break a centuries-old religious tradition of the British royal family when he becomes king, a royal biographer has claimed.

Robert Hardman wrote in his new book, "The Making of a King: King Charles III and the Modern Monarchy," that there is speculation the heir to the British throne could cut ties with the Church of England and decide not to take over as its head -- a title that has been held by British monarchs since the 1530s -- because of his beliefs.

In the book, which was serialized in the Daily Mail, the author claimed that those within the royal circles are aware that Prince William does not share the spiritual inclinations of his father, King Charles III, or the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was devoted to the Anglican church.

Hardman said an unnamed senior royal staff member told him that Prince William is not as religious as his father and grandmother.

While Queen Elizabeth attended church weekly during her reign, Prince William's approach to religious practices was described as less frequent and more reserved.

"His father is very spiritual and happy to talk about faith, but the prince is not. He doesn't go to church every Sunday, but then nor do the large majority of the country. He might go at Christmas and Easter, but that's it," the author quoted the official as saying.

The Prince of Wales, 41, "respects" religious institutions but is "not instinctively comfortable in a faith environment," the source claimed.

The tradition of the British sovereign automatically assuming the title of supreme governor of the Church of England dates back to King Henry VIII.

King Charles III took the title when he ascended to the throne following the death of his mother in September 2022.

While there is no confirmation that Prince William may shun the title once he takes over the throne, Queen Elizabeth II's former chaplain Gavin Ashenden told GB News that he believes the claims Hardman made in his book.

Ashenden said the Prince of Wales might have to choose between accepting the role of head of the Church of England or abdicating.

Meanwhile, Prince William postponed some of his engagements and adjusted his schedule this week to support his wife, Kate Middleton, and take care of their three children following her abdominal surgery.

Buckingham Palace also disclosed Wednesday that King Charles will undergo a "corrective procedure" for an enlarged prostate next week.