Buckingham Palace has updated its official description of King Charles III’s constitutional role, saying that the monarch “protects the space for Faith within the multi-faith nation” while continuing to serve as Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
The revised wording appears in the Sovereign Grant Report 2025–26 and marks a notable change from last year’s description of the King’s duties.
In the 2024–25 report, the section outlining the sovereign’s official responsibilities described the monarch as “Head of the Church of England and Defender of the Faith.” The latest report instead emphasises the King’s broader role in supporting religious freedom across Britain’s diverse faith communities.
The updated wording states that the King “protects the space for Faith within the multi-faith nation”, reflecting a long-held view expressed by Charles before his accession that the monarch should foster understanding between different religions while remaining committed to the Church of England.
The change has prompted debate, with some commentators expressing concern that the traditional title “Defender of the Faith” no longer appears in the report’s description of the sovereign’s constitutional duties.
Despite the revised wording, King Charles III has not relinquished the historic title of Defender of the Faith. The title remains one of the monarch’s official styles and titles and was proclaimed following his accession in September 2022. Likewise, the King continues to serve as Supreme Governor of the Church of England, a constitutional role held by every English and later British monarch since the Reformation.
The discussion follows the publication of the Royal Household’s annual financial review, the Sovereign Grant Report 2025–26, which details official expenditure and the work of the Royal Household over the past financial year.
The revised description is likely to reignite discussion about the King’s approach to faith and religion, an area in which he has consistently advocated dialogue and mutual respect between different religious traditions while affirming his commitment to the established Church.
