If Prince Charles or William left the church of England, could they still be King?

Question

I dont think thats very fair if they cant.

Answer 1

As the law stands now, no.

For example, by simply marrying outside the faith, and particularly a Catholic, King Edward VII, Prince Michael of Kent, and most recently Peter Phillips have had to renouce their place in line to the throne. It simply doesn't make sense then that either Charles or William could leave the Church of England and remain monarch.

Answer 2

No.  At least, I don't believe so.  I know if they were to convert to Catholicism, they would definitely be removed from the line of succession - something which has happened before although the people in question were very far down the line of succession anyway.

Answer 3

It makes you wonder where in time was it no longer acceptable to take over and switch religions...

What would King Henry the VIII say if he were told in 2008 you cant force people to change their religion... for that matter what would his daughter Mary have thought..!!

Answer 4

Part of the monarch's title is "Defender of the Faith."

It would be touchy at best, probably impossible.

Remember what happened to Edward VIII.

Answer 5

no, and they couldn't if they married someone not of that church either.

Answer 6

no

Answer 7

Probably, yes.

The monarch may not be a Roman Catholic, but otherwise I am not aware of any other requirement.

It may be odd to have a 'Head of the Church of England' who isn't a member of the church, but that's the funny thing about the C of E, it is very good at embracing apparent impossibilities!

Answer 8

No. As a sovereign of the United Kingdom, the King/Queen must be a member of the Church of England. The title, "Defender of the Faith", reflects the position as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

The line of succession to the British Throne is an ordered list of the people in line to succeed to the throne of the United Kingdom. The succession is regulated by the Act of Settlement 1701, which limits it to the heirs of the Electress Sophia of Hanover, as determined by male-preference primogeniture, religion, and legitimate birth.

The monarch must be a Protestant at time of accession, and enter into communion with the Church of England after accession. Anyone who is Roman Catholic, becomes Roman Catholic, or marries a Roman Catholic is permanently excluded from the succession.

Note: If the sovereign left the Church of England, he would therefore assumed to have abdicated his throne, and forfeited his rights to claim for the crown.

Answer 9

Since the monarch is head of The Church of England,they'd probably lose their spots.They would definitely lose their places in line of succession if they became Catholics.It has been said that Prince Charles may wish to change this;he wants to be known as "Defender of the Faiths" not just "The Faith."