THE TELEGRAPH: The Prince of Wales, who is 60 today, is planning a symbolic change when he becomes King by taking the title Defender of Faith to reflect Britain's multicultural society.
The move would mean the monarch, as Supreme Governor of the Church of England, would no longer be known as Defender of the Faith for the first time since the reign of Henry VIII.
The Prince caused controversy within the Anglican church when he floated the idea several years ago of becoming Defender of the Faiths in an attempt to embrace the other religions in Britain.
In a compromise he has now opted for Defender of Faith which he hopes will unite the different strands of society, and their beliefs, at his Coronation.
However, there would be huge obstacles to overcome before the Prince can fulfil his wish which he has discussed with some of his closest advisers. It would require Parliament to agree to amend the 1953 Royal Titles Act which came into law after changes were made for the Queen's Coronation in the same year. A senior source told The Daily Telegraph: "There have been lots of discussions. He would like to be known as the Defender of Faith which is a subtle but hugely symbolic shift."
The Monarch has been known by the title Defender of the Faith ever since the title was bestowed on Henry VIII by the Pope in 1521 for his early support for Roman Catholicism
A Clarence House spokesman said: "There has been work done on the accession planning as you would expect however there has been no planning of the Coronation or its contents." The Prince has been advised on the accession by Sir Stephen Lamport, his former Private Secretary, who was a senior civil servant.
Vernon Bogdanor, the constitutionalist who is Professor of Government at Oxford University, said: "In 1952, when the Queen came to the throne, it was very much an Anglican society. The Prince of Wales will become head of a nation which is multi-denominational.
"The Prince has said that he wants to be seen as a defender of all religious faiths and not just the Anglican church but the Coronation is an Anglican ceremony. Any change would require legislation." >>> By Andrew Pierce | November 14, 2008
NZZ Online: Prinz Charles – lebenslänglich in Ausbildung: Der britische Thronfolger wird 60 und wartet weiterhin auf die Krone
Er ist Grossgrundbesitzer, erfolgreicher Unternehmer und Philanthrop. Aber Charles, der britische Thronfolger seit über 56 Jahren, wird trotzdem oft nicht ernst genommen. Er feiert am Freitag seinen 60. Geburtstag, ohne zu wissen, ob er je König wird.
Am Donnerstagabend hat die britische Königin zu Ehren ihres ältesten Sohnes, Charles, ein Konzert mit anschliessendem Bankett in Buckingham Palace veranstaltet. Am Samstag wird Camilla, die Herzogin von Cornwall, eine grosse Einladung für ihren Gatten geben. Dazwischen, am heutigen Freitag, liegt der eigentliche Geburtstag des Kronprinzen – der 60. Sinnigerweise wird Charles den Tag seinem Prince's Trust widmen, einer wohltätigen Organisation für gefährdete Jugendliche. Er hatte den Trust 1976 gegründet und ihn anfänglich mit seiner Abgangsentschädigung als Marineoffizier in der Höhe von 7600 Pfund dotiert. Inzwischen hat der Trust einer halben Million Jugendlicher geholfen, der Jahresumsatz hat 50 Millionen Pfund erreicht, rund 8000 Freiwillige und Angestellte bilden die grösste wohltätige Organisation für Jugendliche im Vereinigten Königreich. >>> Martin Alioth, Dublin | November 13, 2008
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