King Charles III has been criticised by Gavin Ashenden, a former chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II, who accused the monarch of "deserting Christians" and abandoning his oath as "Defender of the Faith." The criticism follows the omission of the "Defender of the Faith" title from official royal materials this year, reigniting debate over the monarch's traditional role as head of the Church of England. The controversy matters because it touches on the historic link between the Crown and the established Church, a role some experts now suggest Prince William could also step away from in future.

Ashenden, who served as chaplain to the late Queen, made the remarks in recent comments reported by Fox News, framing the change as a departure from centuries of royal tradition tying the sovereign to the defence of the Christian faith. The article notes wider commentary suggesting Prince William may further distance the monarchy from this historic religious role when he eventually becomes king, reflecting broader questions about how the Royal Family balances its ceremonial religious duties with a more diverse, secular modern Britain.