Prince Charles should not have multi-faith coronation: church group

London, England - Prince Charles, heir to the throne, should continue the tradition of taking the title of defender of the Christian faith at his coronation -- and not encompass other faiths.

The prince, 57, has always taken a keen interest in other religions and in 1994 he told his biographer that he wanted to be known as "Defender of Faith" rather than "Defender of the Faith", a report by an evangelical group to be published Monday has said.

But the Evangelical Alliance, a charitable organisation which claims to represent over one million evangelical Christians in Britain, called for his coronation not to become an "inter-faith" ceremony.

They said, however, it should feature guests from other religions.

The Latin title fidei defensor (defender of the faith) has been one of the subsidiary titles of the English monarchs since it was granted by pope Leo X in 1521 to Henry VIII.

Queen Elizabeth II's full title in Britain is "Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith."

Fidei defensor appears on all British coins as F. D.

Only Protestants may inherit the British crown and the sovereign holds the title of Supreme Governor of the established Church of England.

The Evangelical Alliance's report, "Faith and Nation", makes 100 recommendations on areas as diverse as religious liberty, the environment and constitutional affairs.

"The report offers Christians, people of other faiths, and those of no faith, resources for engagement, discussion and action on a wide range of contemporary issues," said David Muir, the alliance's public policy director.

"We hope the report will help people understand the continued importance of the Christian faith in 21st century Britain."