Queen Camilla's religion explained as Catholic ties resurface amid Pope meeting

King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla met with Pope Leo XIV in the Sistine Chapel today (23 October) as part of their two-day state visit to Rome.

The historical move marks the first time a UK monarch and the pontiff have prayed together in more than 500 years, but despite the headline-making news, it seems most royal fans were totally distracted by Camilla, and it wasn't just her controversial choice of headwear!

In fact, many people were interested in what Camilla's actual religion is as she joined Charles, who is the first head of the Church of England.

So, without further ado, let's get into it...

King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican earlier today (23 October) (Vatican Pool / Contributor / Getty Images)

Camilla’s own religion

Camilla (formerly Camilla Parker Bowles) is a member of the Church of England, which is the Anglican branch of Christianity and the state church in England.

She was baptised at St. Peter’s Church in Firle, East Sussex before being christened on November 1, 1947, at the Anglican church in the village where her family had a country home and was raised Anglican.

As Queen Consort, she holds a prominent role within the Church of England alongside her husband, Charles, who, as we say, is the Supreme Governor of the Church.

Catholic connection

Now, before Charles, Camilla married 'brigadier' Andrew Parker Bowles in 1973, before eventually calling it quits in 1995.

Parker Bowles is actually a Roman Catholic, and his family has long-standing Catholic ties, with his father, Derek Parker Bowles, being a devout Catholic.

The couple’s wedding ceremony, however, took place in an Anglican church (the Guards Chapel at Wellington Barracks in London), not a Catholic one. Despite this, it was a Roman Catholic ceremony, as a Catholic rite was used.

Their children, Tom and Laura, were raised in the Catholic faith.

More interestingly, it's been reported that Princess Anne and Mr Parker Bowles briefly dated for a few years. However, it reportedly did not work out, as he was a Catholic.

Camilla was married to Roman Catholic Andrew Parker Bowles between 1973 to 1995 (Frank Barratt / Stringer / Getty Images)

Implications of Camilla's Catholic ties

Camilla herself never converted to Catholicism.

When she married then-Prince Charles in 2005, the marriage was conducted in a civil ceremony, followed by a religious blessing from the Church of England, affirming her Anglican identity.

The Church of England reportedly would not permit them to have a full Anglican church wedding because both were divorced, with Camilla's former spousesstill living.

Princess Diana, who had been married to Charles from 1981 to 1996, was already dead following her tragic car crash in 1997.

Charles and Camilla back in 1979 (Tim Graham / Contributor / Getty Images)

Religion and the Royal Family

As we know, Charles followed his mother Queen Elizabeth II's reign in being the Defender of the Faith and head of the church.

All members of the royal family are christened into the religion.

For King Charles’ coronation, he took an oath in which he declared: "I Charles do solemnly and sincerely in the presence of God profess, testify, and declare that I am a faithful Protestant, and that I will, according to the true intent of the enactments which secure the Protestant succession to the Throne, uphold and maintain the said enactments to the best of my powers according to law."

Now, according to RoyalInsider.com, members of The Firm can marry outside their religion, with a law in 2015 allowing any royal to marry a Roman Catholic, but the monarch themselves must be raised within the Church of England.

This is written in law, through the Act of Settlement in 1701, a key piece of legislation that ensures a Protestant leader of Britain.