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The royal family

Why is Sarah Ferguson at the Easter service?

1000 replies

Lazycatsitsonthemat · 20/04/2025 22:29

I am really perplexed about why SF attends all Royal events since the death of the Queen when Andrew
is present. She behaves like his wife but she isn’t his wife. What on earth is going on? I cannot think of another situation like this where an ex wife lives with her ex husband and attends all public events with him as though they are still married. It’s bizarre.

OP posts:
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15
Serenster · 21/04/2025 21:05

Looking at the crowd that gathered just because word got around the family were attending the church service, or on the off-chance they might be attending, it’s another good reason why the family may not want their movements known in advance - it would obviously bring security issues with it.

PrettyFlyforaMaiTai · 21/04/2025 21:07

Futurehappiness · 21/04/2025 20:40

All the angst about whether William went to Church at Easter and whether he is in fact a believer. One of the reasons why I am anti monarchist is the absurdity of having the monarch as Head of the Church....thus denying the monarch the freedom to choose their own faith, which is a fundamental human right and should be a matter for William's own conscience only.

I am not sure any amount of privilege makes up for his lack of freedom. I don't know if he looks forward to being King or not; but in the event he doesn't I feel really sorry for him. If he should ever decide it is not for him and step away, then he can expect to be vilified and dragged through the gutter as his brother was. And if he ever did then his son would be forced to take it on instead.

And supporters of the monarchy lecture people on here about being cruel?

That’s actually a brilliant observation and one that would make me change my view on monarchy. Can one ever truly be free if one cannot choose their own religion? It’s definitely food for thought! Thank you for broadening my mind 🥰

DrPrunesqualer · 21/04/2025 21:34

CurlewKate · 21/04/2025 17:40

Incidentally, if anyone’s interested in Henry and the Church, C J Samsom’s Shardlake novels are an easy way to learn a lot!

Love the Shardlake books .
So sad Sansom passed away before we truly got into the Elizabethan era.

DrPrunesqualer · 21/04/2025 21:41

FiveFoxes · 21/04/2025 08:34

I know the thread has moved on, but..

The Church of England doesn't pray for the Catholic church, it prays for the catholic church. The capital is important - Catholic is the church the Pope leads, catholic means world wide or universal.

The exact words are "holy, catholic and apostolic church".

Not in Henry’s time after the Reformation or in all the first books of Common Prayer
Even now many of the main services use the Capital C.
Its a misconception that the C has been removed

The word Roman generally has though.

Here’s a couple of pieces. One is a current prayer from the C of E website with the C. The other is an extract from a history piece on the subject.

TW. Another derail back to Henry again 😁🤣

Why is Sarah Ferguson at the Easter service?
Why is Sarah Ferguson at the Easter service?
Serenster · 21/04/2025 22:25

That’s a pretty silly argument there.

The Nicene Creed, originally written in st the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, was obviously not written in English, but rather Greek, and then swiftly translated into Latin.

The original Greek words of that passage (We believe in one holy Catholic and apostolic church) are as follows:

Εἰς μίαν, Ἁγίαν, Καθολικὴν καὶ Ἀποστολικὴν Ἐκκλησίαν

(or, transliterated to use the Roman alphabet “Is mían, Aghían, Katholikín ke Apostolikín Ekklesian”)

The Latin version:

“in unam catholicam atque apostolicam ecclesiam”

In both versions you can spot “catholic” - “Katholikin” and “catholicam”, respectively. Both those words mean universal in those languages.

This made perfect sense because bishops from all over the Mediterranean and what we now know as the Levant and Turkey attended the Council at Nicaea - possibly up to 1000 of them, with 200 or so signing the various agreements that were hammered out - that was specifically convened by the Roman Emperor Constantine in order to resolve various doctrinal differences that had sprung up in the various different branches of the early Christian church. So including a section in the Creed they drafted that affirms a belief in one “universal” church obviously mattered.

Any attempt to view this adjective as a reference to the Roman Catholic Church post Martin Luther and the Protestant reformation (whether it is capitalised or not) can only be a much later reinterpretation. The text in this form existed for nearly 1200 years before those events even happened.

Tbrh · 21/04/2025 22:37

Futurehappiness · 21/04/2025 20:40

All the angst about whether William went to Church at Easter and whether he is in fact a believer. One of the reasons why I am anti monarchist is the absurdity of having the monarch as Head of the Church....thus denying the monarch the freedom to choose their own faith, which is a fundamental human right and should be a matter for William's own conscience only.

I am not sure any amount of privilege makes up for his lack of freedom. I don't know if he looks forward to being King or not; but in the event he doesn't I feel really sorry for him. If he should ever decide it is not for him and step away, then he can expect to be vilified and dragged through the gutter as his brother was. And if he ever did then his son would be forced to take it on instead.

And supporters of the monarchy lecture people on here about being cruel?

Yes, you're right there. That's the problem with the monarchy in general I suppose, it's outdated. The more modern it becomes, the less relevant it is

BitOutOfPractice · 21/04/2025 22:46

PrettyFlyforaMaiTai · 21/04/2025 17:38

Honestly it was fascinating to research and debate. Henry’s beliefs were all over the place. My theory was that he was more for reform in the church until he got his son, as it was around 1539 that he decided to backtrack and issue more conservative religious acts (Edward was born in 1537). I feel Henry and Jane would have been very shocked to have had such a zealous Reforming Evangelical Protestant as a son considering their own personal beliefs.

Edited

Henry’s beliefs were not “all over the place”. He was, and remained, a Catholic his whole life. Just one that was excommunicated by Rome.

BitOutOfPractice · 21/04/2025 22:47

PrettyFlyforaMaiTai · 21/04/2025 21:07

That’s actually a brilliant observation and one that would make me change my view on monarchy. Can one ever truly be free if one cannot choose their own religion? It’s definitely food for thought! Thank you for broadening my mind 🥰

Disestablishing the Church of England is long long long overdue and not Just because of William’s personal faith.

BemusedAmerican · 21/04/2025 23:44

Futurehappiness · 21/04/2025 20:40

All the angst about whether William went to Church at Easter and whether he is in fact a believer. One of the reasons why I am anti monarchist is the absurdity of having the monarch as Head of the Church....thus denying the monarch the freedom to choose their own faith, which is a fundamental human right and should be a matter for William's own conscience only.

I am not sure any amount of privilege makes up for his lack of freedom. I don't know if he looks forward to being King or not; but in the event he doesn't I feel really sorry for him. If he should ever decide it is not for him and step away, then he can expect to be vilified and dragged through the gutter as his brother was. And if he ever did then his son would be forced to take it on instead.

And supporters of the monarchy lecture people on here about being cruel?

This is so true.

In addition, I doubt people would be happy if William was very devout, spent his time praying, and tried to enforce C of E. People on MN would accuse him of being delusional and out of touch with modern times.

themightysossidge · 21/04/2025 23:57

Futurehappiness · 21/04/2025 20:30

It is logical and most people don't want him there at all.

Evidence?

mainecooncatonahottinroof · 22/04/2025 00:10

themightysossidge · 21/04/2025 23:57

Evidence?

I don't care enough about him to care whether he attends an odd church service or not.

themightysossidge · 22/04/2025 00:48

?

themightysossidge · 22/04/2025 00:50

I have no idea why you responded to me @mainecooncatonahottinroof

Sunshineandpool · 22/04/2025 00:54

Tomatotater · 21/04/2025 20:00

He should if he wants to be Head of the Church of England ( and it seems he did, even though I heard that he doesn't believe- also fine- it cant be forced) He's not the Head of the Church of Scotland and is still going to be King (barring Independence)

This is what interests me. Someone upthread also said he had made it clear he wasn't a Christian. Maybe he doesn't want to be the Head of the CofE

mainecooncatonahottinroof · 22/04/2025 01:07

themightysossidge · 22/04/2025 00:50

I have no idea why you responded to me @mainecooncatonahottinroof

I was agreeing with you lol!!

mainecooncatonahottinroof · 22/04/2025 01:10

Sunshineandpool · 22/04/2025 00:54

This is what interests me. Someone upthread also said he had made it clear he wasn't a Christian. Maybe he doesn't want to be the Head of the CofE

When did he "make it clear he wasn't a Christian"? I must have missed that.

He has attended church, he got married in church, he had his children baptised in church, he has been to funerals in church including his grandmother's, the late Queen, he has attended multiple weddings in churches where he has played an active role in the proceedings, and he was at church 2 days ago on Easter Sunday.

What else do you want him to do?!

Sunshineandpool · 22/04/2025 01:21

mainecooncatonahottinroof · 22/04/2025 01:10

When did he "make it clear he wasn't a Christian"? I must have missed that.

He has attended church, he got married in church, he had his children baptised in church, he has been to funerals in church including his grandmother's, the late Queen, he has attended multiple weddings in churches where he has played an active role in the proceedings, and he was at church 2 days ago on Easter Sunday.

What else do you want him to do?!

Oh for goodness sake. People are allowed to chat about things on here. Stop trying to be the thread police!

I don't want him to do anything. Why would I? I'm just interested in the idea that a future monarch may not have Christian faith and what that would mean for the head of the CofE role.

Attending church/getting married in church doesn't mean you have faith. Many people do it with no belief in the Christian faith.

Needspaceforlego · 22/04/2025 01:32

I think W&Ks faith is very personal. I'd lay a bet there will have been some desperate prayers over the last year.

Vitrolinsanity · 22/04/2025 02:08

Oh well, would you look at that. The Wales went to church at St Mary in Anmer.

ThisFluentBiscuit · 22/04/2025 05:19

Needspaceforlego · 22/04/2025 01:32

I think W&Ks faith is very personal. I'd lay a bet there will have been some desperate prayers over the last year.

It's been reported in recent months that William has no faith - I think he's pretty much admitted to it - while the same reports say that Kate has become more faith-oriented after her health problems.

I think he should make a show of having faith considering that's part of his job, a job for which he gets paid muti-millions now that he's in receipt of the Duchy of Cornwall funds. I know he's not head of the church now, but he will be, and his dad is. Would it really kill him to go to church a couple of times a month and keep his feelings to himself? I wish I could avoid parts of my job and still be paid millions. I do feel that in the past, pre-Meghan, Kate has aways done exactly what she pleased regardless of optics, in terms of not working much and having lots of holidays, so I do hope that William hasn't caught that attitude. (I think Kate did a lot more work after Meghan came along and up to her illness, and I don't blame her for wanting to recover and make the most of her life now.)

William should not try to have his cake and eat it, imho.

Lazycatsitsonthemat · 22/04/2025 05:26

ThisFluentBiscuit · 22/04/2025 05:19

It's been reported in recent months that William has no faith - I think he's pretty much admitted to it - while the same reports say that Kate has become more faith-oriented after her health problems.

I think he should make a show of having faith considering that's part of his job, a job for which he gets paid muti-millions now that he's in receipt of the Duchy of Cornwall funds. I know he's not head of the church now, but he will be, and his dad is. Would it really kill him to go to church a couple of times a month and keep his feelings to himself? I wish I could avoid parts of my job and still be paid millions. I do feel that in the past, pre-Meghan, Kate has aways done exactly what she pleased regardless of optics, in terms of not working much and having lots of holidays, so I do hope that William hasn't caught that attitude. (I think Kate did a lot more work after Meghan came along and up to her illness, and I don't blame her for wanting to recover and make the most of her life now.)

William should not try to have his cake and eat it, imho.

William went to church in Sandringham. What a bizarre post.

OP posts:
ThisFluentBiscuit · 22/04/2025 05:31

What else do people want him to do? Um, go to church! All the things you've mentioned are special occasions, so very infrequent occurrences. He does not attend church. He's not a churchgoer. How many times have you seen photos of him attending a regular Sunday service? It's ridiculous for someone who's going to be head of the church.

It's widely believed that he has no faith.

https://premierchristian.news/us/news/article/prince-william-struggles-with-the-church-of-england-says-royal-insider

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13074943/Christian-faith-King-Monarchy-William-believe.html

ThisFluentBiscuit · 22/04/2025 05:34

Lazycatsitsonthemat · 22/04/2025 05:26

William went to church in Sandringham. What a bizarre post.

Not bizzare. It is widely known that PW is not a church-goer. He went Easter Sunday under pressure, I suspect, as he couldn't very well not, given that he is going to be head of the church. He goes on special occasions, when he has to, and other than that he never sets foot in church.

Edit There is literally not a single photo of him attending a regular Sunday service on an ordinary Sunday.

Lazycatsitsonthemat · 22/04/2025 05:44

So you think it’s better for a non believer to pretend they believe in a false show of faith? I think I that’s far worse. He is doing what his position demands. His private feelings are his own affair. Why do you care so much about which church he attended? If he had gone to Windsor why would that have been more acceptable than attending in Sandringham? They are both churches. .

OP posts:
myrtleWilson · 22/04/2025 06:06

There are vanishingly few photos of the PPoW returning home after the school run, yet we know they regularly do this, so lack of photographic evidence doesn’t prove anything. I have no idea (nor much interest) how often he attends church but I’d imagine if/when he does, his local community don’t feel the need to invade his/their privacy with snaps of them engaging in private business.

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