Catholics and the Monarchy in Britain

From the era of the Reformation down to the present day, the relationship between Catholics and the British monarchy has been long and fraught. On the threshold of a new era for the monarchy, with the accession of King Charles III, Catholics and non-Catholics alike are reappraising the role which the monarchy plays in the life of the nation. Do Catholics in Britain feel a sense of allegiance to King Charles? How does the history of this community affect its sense of participation in the national mythology? How will King Charles’ attitude to religious plurality affect this?  

Join us for an evening of lively discussion about the past present and future of the relationship between the monarchy and Catholics in Britain, drawing on voices from the spheres of politics, journalism and history.

Mary Kenny is a journalist and historian who has, for several decades, provided insightful commentary on Catholic life in Britain and Ireland. Her book Crown and Shamrock: Love and Hate between Ireland and the British Monarchy chronicles the history of the relationship between the monarchy and Catholicism during the twentieth century.

Peter Stanford is a journalist and former editor of the Catholic Herald. He has written several biographies of prominent British Catholics including Bronwen Astor, Cardinal Basil Hume and Lord Longford. His most recent book, If These Stones Could Talk, provides a history of Christianity in Britain and Ireland based on the history of individual churches.  

Jon Cruddas is the member of parliament for Dagenham and Rainham, a constituency which he has served for twenty years. He has described his career in labour politics as a natural extension of his upbringing within the Irish-Catholic diaspora.

Catherine Pepinster is an English editor, historian, commentator and writer with a focus on theology, Catholic and Anglican ecumenism, church history, and religion and politics. She was the first female editor of The Tablet in the newspaper's 176-year history. Her recent book Defenders of the Faith examines the history of the relationship between the British monarchy and religion, from the medieval period through to the present day.

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