Coming back to the core issue, I think the answer is entirely subjective use of the word "protestant" so nobody will agree.
It is a fact that Henry 8 ( but under the pen of Thomas More) produces scathing rebuttals of those normally associated with protestantism, that is Luther, Zwingli and others, defending catholic dogmas to the hilt. For those interested in history some of Thomas Mores phraseology in those dialogues might amuse...I recollect that despite his normal scholarly approach, he managed to use the word "sh!t" a record number of times in one sentence when taking aim at Luther! And the pope of the time praised Henry (or Thomas Mores) efforts in defending the faith against the new reformationists.
In essence the main thing Henry was determined on losing was the catholic churches view on adultery to change wife in order to get hope of an heir, so in order to do that he had to lose the the authority of the pope over matters ecclesial and spiritual and so demanded all took an oath to declare himself supreme in Britain! In that way he was able to replace the catholic churches view on adultery with his own: in most other regards he kept to catholic doctrines and thinking.
But what actually changed? It is also a fact that the first set of 10 articles (which have changed in history) include the practice of "praying to saints" and do not even oppose purgatory saying only it is "biblically uncertain" whilst reinforcing prayers for the dead.
If you regard protestantism as the destination beliefs of many reformationists (eg double predestination, symbolic only eucharist, believers baptism, the lack of priesthood or succession priesthood, then Anglican is certainly not protestant.
But then It is also a fact that even Luthers beliefs (who first attracted the word protestant I believe) were far more "catholic" than many of those who came later using his name: many protestants would be horrified at (for example) his views on Mary! So was Luther protestant in todays terms as regards views.
If you regard protestantism as objecting to the authority of the catholic church over dogma and doctrine, which is the core of much protestantism, then yes CofE became protestant, protesting the authority of the pope. But that was pretty much all that changed to start with...
For some of us the essence of the drift in doctrine of protestantism is entirely because it ditches "authority" both of the magisterium and pope so that all may replace meanings of scripture with their own opinion. Even Luther despaired of that in his lifetime.
The reasoning he used to reinterpret scripture, and disavowing authority became equally valid for all others to do the same. And they did. "now every milkmaid has their own doctrine" he lamented...
The fascinating question to me, is whether had Divine providence granted henry an heir by his first wife, would England have remained catholic and still respect the pope? I think it would, and centuries of strife would have been avoided in England.
So by refusing to accept divine providence on children, Henry scuppered the church.
For me I can only repeat, I have every respect for Anglicans ,- I was one- but I have total contempt for Henry.
I find some Anglican thinking muddled born of the fact that without magisterium or pope, there is no authority within Anglicanisms to settle theological disputes :which become factional and result in recent schisms, to the point the catholic church has said in recent times that it is hard to engage in ecumenical discussions because anglican synod does not represent a single viewpoint on even some fundamental issues.
As to whether it is protestant, it is a subjective question. What do people mean by protestant? The beliefs (Anglican beliefs, are largely catholic, not those of most of the later groups calling themselves protestant ) or the refusal to acknowledge of catholic authority as pope and magisterium (they dont, so by that definition are protestant)
I don't think it's all that should matter, or all that does matter.
As long as some denominations are in the habit of recognising other "genuine Christians" as deficient, inferior, or the like, we have a problem.
I'm certainly frustrated with this thread, which was started to ask if we are Protestant, but seems to have deteriorated with every other group feeling this is the place to attack Anglicans/Anglicanism from every possible direction.
