King Charles chose not to deliver an Easter message this year, leaving at least one senior church official openly dismayed and wondering whether the palace had misread national sentiment.
Bishop Ceirion H Dewar describes himself as “bitterly disappointed” and warns the monarch that the decision may no longer meet public expectations.
While Buckingham Palace has clarified that an Easter broadcast is not a fixed royal tradition in the same way as the Christmas speech, the bishop argued that the king has in recent years set his own precedent in marking the occasion.
Speaking candidly, the bishop suggested the lack of a message would leave many people feeling neglected, especially given the king’s title as defender of the faith.
He went further, saying the choice could compound concerns already circulating among Christians in the Commonwealth.
This latest criticism follows a letter sent directly to the palace by Dewar and made public in which he raised concerns about the way Christianity is represented in royal messaging.
The letter has since garnered thousands of signatures, turning a personal appeal into a growing campaign.
Some observers see the unusual royal silence as a sign of possible tension.
Traditionally, the monarch marks major Christian holidays with a public message, but this year Buckingham Palace has confirmed that no Easter speeches will be published.
Royal observers fear this break in tradition could suggest personal or health-related pressures are weighing on Her Majesty.
