Centuries-old ties have been fraying between English church, State

CANTERBURY, England — when Prince William and Kate Middleton walking down the aisle in Westminster Abbey on Friday, Britain's unique and historical ties between Church and State will be on full display. By Dan Kitwood, AP

England's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip ' Exchanges peace ' with the Archbishop of York John Sentamu, second from left, as the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, left, looks on. If England increasingly secular, unraveling ties between Church and State?

By Dan Kitwood, AP

England's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip ' Exchanges peace ' with the Archbishop of York John Sentamu, second from left, as the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, left, looks on. If England increasingly secular, unraveling ties between Church and State?

Some people here think — even hope — the Royal marriage would also be the last powerful walk for Church and State in this ever more secular country.As the Dean of Westminster, the very Rev. John Hall, and Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams prepare and solemnize the marriage of the century, both Christians and prominent and powerful unbelievers are raising their voices and demands of the disintegration of the Church of England religious life here has dominated for centuries.In a special message issued for the Royal Wedding, Williams underlines the historical ties between the Church and State in England. "About 1300, "he said," the archbishops of Canterbury have since their London stay here in Lambeth Palace. The view from Lambeth Palace is cross by the House of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. "In a powerful measure of Britain's unique marriage of Church and State, the Parliament House of Lords 26 Lords spiritual, all of them men who also serve as bishops in the Church of England. The mounted royals and bishops in Westminster Abbey unelected will reflect the close ties on both sides. Williams was named in 2003 by Elizabeth — her fifth appointment to Canterbury in almost 60 years — on the recommendation of the former Prime Minister Tony Blair. Hey, in turn, or his successor will one day Crown the next monarch.The Queen was "Supreme Governor" and "defender of the faith" of the Church of England when she ascended the throne in 1952 — a title established in 1562 after King Henry VIII broke with Rome in 1534. "We keep the most agreeable to this our Royal Office, and our own religious zeal, to save and maintain the church dedicated to our cost, in the unity of the true religion, and in the Bond of peace, "says the preface of the Church for thirty-nine articles of religion.Assuming that one day he takes the throne, William, will also keep the same jurisdiction bishops and archbishops.By law, the monarch an Anglican and confirmed Member of the Church of England. Middleton was confirmed in the Church of England on 10 th March at a private ceremony in a London palace.Current Prime Minister David Cameron support "in principle" in favour of the scrapping of the 1701 Act of settlement, restricting access to the throne by non-Catholics — a move Anglican leaders strongly opposed.The law prohibits 1701 also heirs to the throne of Catholics, marrying on the idea that their Royal offspring raised Catholics would be forced to choose between loyalty to Rome and fidelity to the Church of England. The heir to the throne geachtCharles, Prince of Wales, is the longest serving heir in history. He is married to Camilla Parker Bowles, a Roman Catholic. Opinion polls suggest that most Britons want to succeed his grandmother as a sovereign William. for his part has little concern about William or commitment to the Church of England or Christianity. That is close to the couple say they are, as their peers, quiet indifferent about religion.A theologian who did not want to have his name used publicly at a recent reception at Lambeth Palace quipped: "since Saul, David and Solomon, the Church of England is ideal for a monarch is a man or woman with an eye on their subjugating other on the sky."For the most part, let the Queen Church operations at the Archbishop of Canterbury and other bishops, who in recent years to keep intact the Church of England despite deep differences over a shift to allow female bishops have struggled.Williams, has also struggled with an independent-minded American flock in the Episcopal Church on the election of gay bishops. In the former British colonies, Williams has wrestled for control with conservative archbishops who see themselves as leaders of the so-called "Global South" Church.When Elizabeth, 85, dies, many observers expect calls for the dissolution of the Church to grow, and maybe succeed. Williams, the former Archbishop of Wales, did he not frightened by the idea. "I spent 10 years working in a disestablished Church (the Church of Wales) and I can see that by no means the end of the world if the creation disappears, "he told the left-leaning New Statesman magazine in 2008. For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ 's. Report corrections and clarifications, contact standards Editor Brent Jones. For consideration of publication in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and State for authentication. Our corrections, go to corrections. usatoday.com. We've updated the guidelines for the conversation. Changes include a brief overview of the monitoring process and an explanation about how to use the "report abuse" button. Read more.