King Charles III is facing criticism over a change in how his religious role is described, with a former chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II accusing the monarch of moving away from his responsibilities as "Defender of the Faith."
According to Fox News, the controversy centers on the Sovereign Grant Annual Report released in June.
The report replaced the traditional reference to "Defender of the Faith" with language stating that Charles is "Supreme Governor of the Church of England and protects the space for Faith within the multi-Faith nation."
Gavin Ashenden, who previously served as a chaplain to Queen Elizabeth, said the change amounted to Charles "deserting Christians" and abandoning his oath as "Defender of the Faith."
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital that the wording has generated "considerable controversy."
Fitzwilliams argued that the traditional title should have remained alongside language recognizing Britain's multi-Faith population.
"It would have been better to leave āDefender of the Faithā in the text after āSupreme Governor of the Church of Englandā and then add a phrase that recognised Britain as multi-Faith which should be included," he said.
He also criticized the new wording as "weak and woke."
Author Christopher Andersen, whose new biography "Kate!" examines the royal family, offered a different explanation for Charles' approach to religion.
Andersen said Charles has demonstrated a "powerful ecumenical streak" dating back to his years at Cambridge, when he developed an interest in Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism.
"Charles is just a different sort of animal," Andersen said. "The current king has long believed that no one religion has all the answers."
Andersen contrasted Charles with his late mother, saying Queen Elizabeth was respectful toward other religions while remaining firmly committed to her Christian beliefs.
He also pointed to a moment involving Prince William during his time at Eton College.
According to Andersen, William once asked Charles what he should write in the "Religion" section of his enrollment paperwork.
Andersen said the incident could indicate that William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, may take a different approach to the traditional "Defender of the Faith" role if they become king and queen.
Royal broadcaster Ian Pelham Turner described Charles as a "deep thinker when it comes to religion," while saying William has shown little interest in the Church of England and Catherine has remained a committed Christian.
Fitzwilliams warned that the Church of England is already struggling and argued that weakening its position could create problems for the monarchy.
"Queen Elizabeth memorably compared the Church of England to an umbrella under which other faiths could flourish," he said. "She was a believer."