Succession: Charles' takes issue with grandchildren being Catholic

Submitted by LJ Holden on 7 January, 2013 - 21:31

Britain's Daily Mail reports that in a private meeting with UK government officials Prince Charles has criticised the proposed changes to the succession, specifically the proposed ability of his grandchildren to (gasp!) marry a Catholic and stay in line for the throne. For New Zealand this means one of the most discriminatory aspects of the monarchy might just survive - underlining once again the absurdity of our keeping the institution instead of having a New Zealander as our head of State.

Apparently religious freedom is a bad thing for Royals, because it could make life difficult for the established Church of England. Charles' comments are too little too late, and cynically they may simply be designed to assuage the fears of the more conservative quarters of the Church of England (or at least show Charles is listening to them). As with most of these stories about "private" conversations, there's usually a healthy dose of PR involved - and of course the Royals have the cover of claiming their conversations are private.

Whatever the reason for the story being leaked to the press, it is yet another potential spanner in the works. Given there's already an agreement signed up to by the 16 states still headed by the Queen, any back down will more than likely require a new agreement. Which is highly unlikely to happen. But you never know - the man who might be King might just get his way.

Comments

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on 8 January, 2013 - 00:45.
A couple of points from a UK-style royalist (i.e. I'm in favour of a Head of State whose official function is mostly to be consulted and to rubber stamp legislation): As you're undoubtedly aware, UK governance has had a turbulent history with Roman Catholicism from Henry VIII to Guy Fawkes, so it's hardly surprising that a move away from the norm is viewed warily. Prince Charles's religious conviction is far less pronounced than his mother's: it's been muted that on his eventual investiture he would like to be known as "Defender of the faiths", plural. Given that the UK is as multi-faith as the Commonwealth, this seems politically sensible, but probably logistically impossible. And Prince Charles's current wife is the daughter of a Roman Catholic. As for the Church of England, it seems, rightly or wrongly, to be somewhat at odds with the current political tides on homosexuality and the role of women. There are already calls for the disestablishment of the church. Personally I won't have a problem with the religion (or none) of any future partner of a future monarch.
LJ Holden's picture
Submitted by LJ Holden on 8 January, 2013 - 17:27.

I'm in favour of a Head of State whose official function is mostly to be consulted and to rubber stamp legislation



Possibly Prince Charles' views have been misinterpreted as being anti-Catholic, I think his main concern is actually with the establishment of the Church of England - it could obviously lead to a heir being excluded for being Catholic, which would undo any of the goodwill gained from making the changes.

Charles is probably hopeful that the Church will be dis-established, but probably not while his mother is still alive.

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