Prince William will attend the enthronement of the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, on Wednesday, in a move his aides say is intended to end speculation about his personal faith and future role as head of the Church of England.
The Prince of Wales, 43, will represent his father, the King, at Canterbury Cathedral. Unlike the King or Queen Elizabeth II, William is not known as a regular churchgoer, leading to questions about his faith and whether he might decline the title of Supreme Governor of the Church of England when he becomes monarch.
A source close to the prince said: "This week is an opportunity to be very clear in people's minds... For him, it is a drawing of a line in the sand." Another aide added that William's commitment to the Church is often quieter than expected but runs deep, grounded in "something personal and sincere."
William was baptised at six weeks old and confirmed at 14, weeks before his mother Princess Diana's death. He and wife Kate have already met Dame Sarah, a fellow Aston Villa fan, and aim to build a strong working relationship. The new archbishop, 63, replaced Justin Welby, who resigned after a sexual abuse scandal.
A source close to Dame Sarah acknowledged that expecting the future king at church every Sunday is unrealistic, noting: "One has to be practical around the fact that they are a couple with young children."
