Too Little Too Late – The Warming of Prince Williams' Tepid Agnosticism.

About this sermon

Please consider subscribing to my Substack. https://drgavinashenden.substack.com/ "Sources in Buckingham Palace have made an announcement about Prince William’s faith. They have told us that his original well publicised agnosticism has experienced a slight warming and he is more comfortable with the idea of the Church of England as the Established Church. Let’s look at what this might mean and whether it is a help or a hindrance in the present circumstances. The impression he has given about Christianity since becoming an adult has been one of uninterested, or perhaps disinterested, agnosticism. The way this entered the public arena was through the royal author Robert Hardman, who quoted William in his 2024 book. He says, in substance, that in royal circles it is well known William does not share King Charles’s spiritual instincts, nor his grandmother’s settled Anglican devotion. William respects the institution of religion more than he is personally at ease in a setting of faith. Hardman used a fairly distinctive phrase, saying that William is “not instinctively comfortable in a faith environment.” This week, however, sees the installation of the new female Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, and William is due to attend. His PR machine has chosen this moment to put out a new and very different message in its bulletin. Referring to the prince, a source told The Sunday Times: “His feeling is, again, I might not be at church every day, but I believe in it…” . I want to support it and this is an important aspect of my role and the next role, and I will take it very seriously, in my own way”.’ the source said. “The Prince of Wales’s commitment to the Church of England is sometimes quieter than people expect, and for that reason it is not always fully understood.” They added: “At a time when institutions can be seen simply through a social or cultural lens, he understands that the Church’s role goes beyond this. It is not only part of the nation’s heritage, but a living expression of faith, rooted in prayer, compassion and a belief in grace and redemption.”