The King has said he has a personal “duty to protect the diversity of our country” in a speech to more than 30 faith leaders from various religions at a reception in Buckingham Palace.
Charles, who is now supreme governor of the Church of England, said that as sovereign he believed his work must include “protecting the space for faith itself” and the valued differences which people live by.
He confirmed his “determination to carry out my responsibilities as sovereign of all communities around this country and the Commonwealth and in a way which reflects the world in which we now live”.
He said: “I am a committed Anglican Christian, and at my coronation I will take an oath relating to the settlement of the Church of England. At my accession, I have already solemnly given – as has every sovereign over the last 300 years – an oath which pledges to maintain and preserve the Protestant faith in Scotland.
“I have always thought of Britain as a ‘community of communities’. That has led me to understand that the sovereign has an additional duty – less formally recognised but to be no less diligently discharged.”
He added: “It is the duty to protect the diversity of our country, including by protecting the space for faith itself and its practice through the religions, cultures, traditions and beliefs to which our hearts and minds direct us as individuals. This diversity is not just enshrined in the laws of our country, it is enjoined by my own faith.
“As a member of the Church of England, my Christian beliefs have love at their very heart. By my most profound convictions, therefore – as well as by my position as sovereign – I hold myself bound to respect those who follow other spiritual paths, as well as those who seek to live their lives in accordance with secular ideals.”
The King, who was proclaimed as “defender of the faith” by the accession council last Saturday, said: “The beliefs that flourish in, and contribute to, our richly diverse society differ.
“They, and our society, can only thrive through a clear collective commitment to those vital principles of freedom of conscience, generosity of spirit and care for others which are, to me, the essence of our nationhood.
“I am determined, as King, to preserve and promote those principles across all communities, and for all beliefs, with all my heart.
“This conviction was the foundation of everything my beloved mother did for our country, over her years as our Queen. It has been the foundation of my own work as Prince of Wales. It will continue to be the foundation of all my work as King.”
