King Charles breaks 500-year-old royal tradition with unexpected move

King Charles has approved a special honorary title to be bestowed on Pope Leo XIV. 

The Pontiff, who is head of the Catholic Church, has accepted an honorary title reflecting a "shared desire for Christian unity" between him and the King, Buckingham Palace said on Friday.

A statement read: "With the gracious approval of His Majesty The King, The Dean and Canons of Windsor are delighted to announce that His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has become Papal Confrater of the College of St George at St George’s Chapel, Windsor."

In addition, two specially commissioned chairs have been created. The chair presented to the King sits next to the monastic stalls in St Paul’s Outside the Walls, and a corresponding chair for the Pope will be unveiled at St George’s Chapel in Windsor in due course.

Buckingham Palace said: "This act of confraternity represents a visible sign of spiritual fellowship, ecumenical friendship and Christian fraternity.

"It recognises both the centuries-old relationship between the College and Chapel of St George, Windsor and the Holy See, and the progress in relations between the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of England and the Anglican Communion.

"It also reflects the deep mutual esteem between His Holiness and His Majesty and their shared desire for Christian unity."

It's the first time such titles have been exchanged between the two churches in around 500 years.

St George's Chapel was built between 1475 and 1528 and is one of the royal family's most significant religious sites. It has been the scene of many royal marriages and hosted Princess Eugenie's wedding, and that of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, in 2018.

King Charles's close relationship with the Pope

Charles and Queen Camilla met the Pope on this day last year during a state visit to the Vatican.

On that trip, the King was welcomed as Royal Confrater of the Papal Basilica and Abbey of St Paul’s Outside the Walls.

Charles and Leo made history in 2025 when they prayed together in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel in a symbolic moment of unity for Anglicans and Roman Catholics across the globe.

It was the first time a British monarch, the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, had prayed at a public service with the Pope, head of the Catholic Church, since the Reformation.

Charles and Camilla previously visited the Vatican in April 2025, meeting Pope Francis.

The King attends church most Sundays, and is often pictured walking to Crathie Kirk near Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

Pope Leo health latest

Meanwhile, the Pope will miss a planned trip to Assisi next week as he continues recovering from thoracic surgery.

He was due to attend an event on 27 October to mark the 40th anniversary of St John Paul II’s World Day of Prayer for Peace.

The Pope’s health condition was confirmed earlier this month after the Vatican said he had undergone a "successful" planned surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.

Lung adenocarcinoma is a common type of lung cancer.

King Charles, who has himself been diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer, wrote privately to the Pontiff to pass on his well-wishes.