Royals from around the world who converted to other religions

Religion has been a strong guiding force for many royal families around the world. While many royals have gone an extraordinary mile to uphold their long-standing religious beliefs, some have developed convictions in other faiths and have gone as far as to adopt a different religion. From the religious conversion actualized by King Henry the VIII to the most recent baptism of Meghan Markle into the Church of England, royal families around the world have seen many of its members convert in the name of succession, love and/or religious faith.

In order to know more, here are some of the royals from around the world and throughout history, who have converted into other religions.

Photo: Getty images

Long ago, when the British Royal Family was still under the religious umbrella of Roman Catholicism, King Henry VIII sought the permission of the pope to divorce his first wife Catherine of Aragon, in order to marry his mistress Anne Boleyn. The plea was denied by the Church, which in turn enraged the King. He decided to break away from the then existing Church and established a new Church of England known as ‘Anglicana Ecclesia’. Since then, the royal family has been practicing the same faith.

Reportedly, before her marriage in 2018 to Prince Harry, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle was baptized into the Church of England and confirmed as a part of a the Anglican Church, followed by the British Royalty. Allegedly, Prince Harry, Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles were present during the baptism ceremony.

Besides being the granddaughter of Queen Victoria and mother of Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Alice also founded the a sisterhood of Greek Orthodox nuns in the 1930s and followed the orthodox faith for the rest of her life.

Katharine, Duchess of Kent who married Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, became the first-ever person to convert her religion to Catholicism since King Charles II.

Photo: Official website of the British Royal Family

Queen Sofia of Spain, who served as the Queen consort during her husband’s reign from 1975 to 2014, previously belonged to the Greek Orthodox Church. But after her matrimonial union with King Juan Carlos I, she converted to Catholicism, which is also the religion followed by the mass majority of Spanish population.

Photo: AFP

Prior to her marriage to Prince Albert II of Monaco in 2011, Princess Charlene, born and raised a Protestant, adopted Catholicism as her new faith. It is not only the religion followed by the Monegasque Royal Family, but is also the state religion of the country.

Before becoming the Queen of Jordan, Queen Noor, who was originally call Lisa Halaby, worked at the Royal Jordanian Airlines. She met the King Hussein of Jordan during these days and later before marrying him in 1978, converted to Islam.

Reportedly, Lady Kitty Spencer, niece to the most beautiful Princess Diana, has been taking preparatory classes to Judaism prior to her wedding with the Jewish businessman, Michael Lewis. The 29-year-old, who is currently engaged to the 61-year-old business tycoon is said to be looking forward to converting into Judaism.

- By Tenzin Chodon