The choirmaster at the church where King Charles worships at Sandringham has gone on sick leave with work-related stress after a bust-up with the rector.
The issue apparently blew up after the Rev Canon Paul Williams tried to bring in steps to modernise the choir and music at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Royal Estate in north Norfolk.
He is said to have commissioned a report into music at the 18th-century church by Tansy Castledine who is described by BBC Radio 3 as ‘one of the UK’s leading women conductors’.
Her report and apparent recommendations have angered Dr Claire Stewart, the director of music at St Mary Magdalene Church, as well as choristers and worshippers.
Dr Stewart is reported to have written a 28-page ‘grievance’ dossier responding to the report and is now off sick.
The King has been informed of the row, which has been likened to a Vicar of Dibley storyline, and is said to have taken time to speak to distressed parishioners about it before he left a recent service at the church.
It is believed that Rev Williams wanted to make the choir more ‘inclusive’ with younger singers, and even a social media account to promote its activities at the six medieval churches in the Sandringham group of churches.
A source said: ‘As you can imagine, with its links to the Royal family, St Mary Magdalene is quite traditional and high church.
The report and apparent recommendations have angered Dr Claire Stewart, the director of music at St Mary Magdalene Church, as well as choristers and worshippers
The issue apparently blew up after the Rev Canon Paul Williams, right, tried to bring in steps to modernise the choir and music at the church
‘The rector wanted to make the church a bit more inclusive for everyone’.
Dr Stewart who has been in her post for 12 years and is ‘hugely adored’ by many worshippers told the Mail on Sunday that she had been left feeling ‘very anxious and stressed’.
She said: ‘I am unable to comment at the moment as I am on sick leave with work-related stress.’
Dr Stewart described the report by Ms Castledine, the Director of Music at Peterborough Cathedral, Cambridgeshire, as ‘controversial’.
She added: ‘She was commissioned by the rector to do this, and as a result of it being published, it has greatly upset the choir, the congregation and myself.’
The bust-up is said to have led to a number of members of the ‘tight-knit’ choir staying away from Sunday services and practice sessions.
The Bishop of Norwich, the Right Rev Graham Usher, has received a number of letters from parishioners who have been distressed about the row.
Tory peer Lord Greville Howard of nearby Castle Rising which has its church included in the Sandringham group of parishes is believed to have held a meeting earlier this month with church leaders to try and reach a peace deal.
Full view of St Mary Magdalene Church on the Royal Estate in north Norfolk
Members of the Royal family traditionally attend St Mary Magdalene Church for morning service on Christmas Day when they are watched by thousands of members of the public.
The late Queen and her husband Prince Philip attended the church when in residence at Sandringham, and the King who is battling cancer has followed in the footsteps of his parents as a regular worshipper.
During his reign, he and Queen Camilla have often been photographed walking to the church from Sandringham House or sometimes being driven there by car.
The Rev Williams became Sandringham rector in September 2022 shortly after the death of the late Queen, and was later appointed Domestic Chaplain to the King.
He was previously vicar of Tewkesbury Abbey in the Diocese of Gloucester.
The rector did not respond to a request for comment, while Edward Parsons, a churchwarden at Sandringham, also declined to comment.
A spokesperson for the Diocese of Norwich said: ‘St Mary Magdalene, the parish church of Sandringham is one of six churches that form the Sandringham Group of Churches in North West Norfolk.
‘We are aware that a discussion around music has taken place within the group of churches. It has taken in the views of parishioners and members of the congregation and the discussions continue.’
The Diocese spokesperson was unable to comment on the contents of the report produced by Ms Castledine.
