King Charles may have missed out on a 'unprecedented' honour from Pope Leo after breaking major tradition

King Charles may miss out on an 'unprecedented' honour from Pope Leo due a recent decision in the UK.

The King is due to visit the recently elected Pope Leo at the Vatican in a meeting charged with historical significance.

Britain has historically had a complicated relationship with the Catholic Church since Henry VIII broke with Rome and became the Head of the Church of England in 1531. Catholics have been persecuted in Britain since then, including being barred from holding political office and owning property during some periods.

So, it's deeply significant that King Charles will personally visit the Vatican and meet with the Pope, with the King set to be made a 'Royal Confrater' and be the first British monarch to pray with the Pope in nearly 500 years.

But one Royal expert thinks that Charles may lose out on becoming a Papal Knight due to a recent break with tradition in the Anglican Church.

Pope Leo will meet the King (TIZIANA FABI/AFP via Getty Images)

This is the appointment of Sarah Mullally as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, a decision seen as a major liberalising step in the Church of England but one which has been criticised by more conservative members.

Royal commentator Ephraim Hardcastle wrote in the Daily Mail that this may scupper Charlies' chances of a Papal Knighthood, even though while the King officially appoints the Archbishop he does not decide who it is.

That decision is taken by the Church's Crown Nominations Commission, which is made up of members of the Church of England and Anglican Communion.

Hardcastle wrote: "The King was being considered for a papal knighthood by Pope Francis, something unprecedented since Henry VIII broke from Rome nearly 500 years ago.

"The honour, which would once have been unthinkable, was for the King's ecumenical zeal and reconciliation between Anglicans and Catholics.

"Unfortunately, in throwing a spanner into the reconciliation apparatus by allowing the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, Charles may have scuppered his chances."

Sarah Mullally has been chosen as Archbishop of Canterbury (BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)

Pope Leo is seen as a moderate successor to the reformist Pope Francis, and while as a cardinal he appointed women to an advisory board to help him appoint bishops he is not in favour of women being ordained.

Speaking in October 2023, before he was elected Pope, he said: “The apostolic tradition is something that has been spelled out very clearly, especially if you want to talk about the question of women’s ordination to the priesthood."

This presents his views as rooted specifically in Catholic Doctrine, and his views on whether other faiths and churches should ordain women may be a separate matter entirely.

A Church of England spokesperson told the Daily Express: "The Royal Confrater title... is a tribute to His Majesty and to his own work over many decades to find common ground between faiths and to bring people together."

Whether the appointment of Mullally as the Archbishop of Canterbury will have any bearing on his meeting with Charles remains to be seen, but if it does that might be a signal of his approach to women in his papacy over the coming years.