How Prince William, Kate Living Together Before Marriage Made Church Leaders Feel

Prince William and Kate Middleton lived together while studying at the University of St. Andrews. At that time, the couple was not yet married.

On the online forum site Quora, royal fans discussed how church leaders must have felt over the couple’s decision to cohabitate even before tying the knot. As the current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II is also the head of the Church of England. When Prince William becomes king, he will also head the institution.

Leslie Martin said that the Church of England may not have a stand or a say about the future king’s personal life in the same way that they weren’t able to do anything about Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles’ affair.

Martin also said that the Church of England has never questioned the indiscretions of the members of the royal family, and Princess Diana’s death may be the reason why. The royal fan said that the royal’s demise sent a very clear message to the Church and the members of the royal family.

“A very personal message to the Queen that it is not worth the death of a loved one if you enforce rules that led to the tragic death of Princess Diana. If Prince Charles had been allowed to marry Camilla Shand when she was single, the tragic circumstances of the death of Diana Spencer would never have happened,” she said.

David Reardon, a political activist, clarified that Her Majesty is not the head of the Church of England, rather, the position is held by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Queen, on the other hand, is the supreme governor.

Reardon also said that the position of the church when it comes to having a sexual relationship before marriage remains the same. But the Church of England is also aware that a lot of people in modern-day England do not live their lives according to the teachings of the church.

Cathy Buchanan, a lifelong watcher of British culture and history, said that she doubts that the Church of England and the Queen had objections about Prince William and Middleton living together before marriage.