As the King prays with the Pope and the scandal over Prince Andrew persists, Brian Taylor scrutinises the state of the British monarchy

Time was – and not so very long ago – that images of King Charles in public prayer alongside the Pope in the Vatican would have stirred controversy in these islands. Supporters would have lauded inter-faith unity. Critics would have warned that history was being overturned. There would have been comment in the Commons. And in the Upper House. Where sitting Bishops from the Church of England, the Lords Spiritual, might have felt moved to pronounce.

Now? The entire episode has been greeted, to some degree, with benign neglect by the populace. Not for want of trying on the part of the commentariat. We observed the remarkable scenes in the magnificent Sistine Chapel, Pontiff and King solemn beneath the Michelangelo masterpiece. This, we were reminded, was the first such act of conjoined public worship since Henry VIII broke from Rome. Charles, we were also reminded, is head of the Anglican faith.

OK, some analysts stumbled over whether this was 500 years of British or English history. But still, to be clear, this was authentically historic. Seminal. Crucial. Except, somehow, it did not feel entirely like that. Or, at least, I cannot imagine it gripped the attention of, say, a parent in Glasgow gazing forlornly at an empty kitchen cupboard.

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Partly, that speaks to our age of anxiety – where grandiose events are submerged beneath daily struggle. Partly, it reminds us of our secular existence. Sundry churches have lost their sway.

© Herald Scotland