Prince and Princess of Wales take part in historic ceremony to enthrone the first female Archbishop of Canterbury

The Prince and Princess of Wales are today attending the inauguration of Dame Sarah Mullally as Archbishop of Canterbury at Canterbury Cathedral in Kent.

William, 43, assumes the role of heir to the throne according to the latest tradition.

The monarch, who is Supreme Governor of the Church of England, passes the office to his successor.

Kate donned a long gray Suzannah coat and a wide-brimmed Juliette Botterill hat in the windy weather, as she and the prince were greeted outside the West Gate by Lady Colgrain, Lord Lieutenant of Kent.

William and Kate do not have an active role in the ceremony but will watch as members of the congregation.

The ceremony includes a power of attorney (legal direction) from the King, which will be read by Darren Oliver, Chief Registrar of Canterbury, instructing the monarch to appoint Dame Sarah as Archbishop of Canterbury.

She is the first woman to be appointed Archbishop in the 1,400-year history of the role, and today’s service is her official calling.

Dame Sarah is the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury.

William and Catherine had previously met him at Lambeth Palace on 5 February and had since expressed an interest in establishing a warm and meaningful relationship with the most senior bishop and spiritual leader in the church.

The Prince and Princess of Wales photographed during the ceremony to appoint Dame Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury

Dr. David Monteith (front) leads the Prince and Princess of Wales to their enthronement ceremony

On arrival, Her Majesty was received by the Lord Lieutenant, Lady Colgrain, and they were then greeted by the Most Reverend Dr. Dean of Canterbury. He introduced me to David Monteith.

The couple were then processed at the Nave and taken to their seats at the Quire.

On their way out, the Prince and Princess will take a few moments to talk to the new Archbishop.

Dame Sarah was welcomed with fanfare to Canterbury Cathedral by schoolchildren from John Wallis Academy in Ashford.

After walking towards the West Door of the cathedral, he used his pastoral staff to knock three times; this is the traditional way for a new archbishop to ask permission to enter.

They were questioned by schoolchildren as to why he had been sent, and he replied: ‘I have been sent to serve you as archbishop, to proclaim the love of Christ, and to worship and love him with you with heart, soul, mind and strength.’

Kate wore a long gray Suzannah coat and a wide-brimmed Juliette Botterill hat.

Members of the clergy arrive for the Enthronement Ceremony installing Dame Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury

On arrival, Her Majesty was received by the Lord Lieutenant, Lady Colgrain, and they were then greeted by the Most Reverend Dr. Dean of Canterbury. He introduced me to David Monteith.

During the ceremony, Dame Sarah placed her hand on the Gospel of St. John to take the Corporal’s Oath; This is the first time this Bible has been used in this way.

A copy of the first Benedictine hand-illuminated Bible in over 500 years was given to the cathedral in 2023.

The Augustine Bibles used between 1945 and 2013, when the last archbishop was sworn in, are said to be fragile and cannot be moved easily.

Dame Sarah said she was ‘delighted to be with you today’ as she delivered her first sermon in the role.

He told a congregation of nearly 2,000 people at Canterbury Cathedral: ‘Last week I walked the ancient pilgrim’s path from St Paul’s Cathedral in London to Canterbury Cathedral.

‘Although my aching feet and limbs tell a different story, the people we encounter every day, young and old, have lifted my heart and spirits immeasurably.

‘As I walked, I was aware that I was making this journey both on a personal level (as my ministry progressed from being Bishop of London to becoming Archbishop of Canterbury) but more importantly, that I was making this journey with others and following in the footsteps of the past.’

In preparation for her mission, Dame Sarah undertook a six-day pilgrimage on foot from London to Canterbury, arriving in Kent on Sunday.

Primates of the Anglican Communion arrive ahead of the Enthronement Ceremony

On their way out the Prince and Princess will take a few moments to talk to the new Archbishop

As crowds gathered in front of the cathedral before the service, one person said he wanted to “see this magnificent moment in history.”

Among the guests of the congregation of 2 thousand people inside are Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch.

Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Sir Keir described the position as ‘an important role in our national life’ and said he wished the new archbishop ‘every success’.

Dame Sarah said she was aware of the ‘importance of being the first female archbishop’ and paid tribute to ‘the women and also the men who have supported me in my ministry’.

She added that Wednesday’s ceremony was “all about women’s voices.”

She said: ‘There’s something about celebrating women, but there’s also being able to tell other people that it’s totally possible in a sense to follow your dreams and what you want to do.’

Special features include five of the so-called ‘African Six’ (the first female Anglican bishops from across Africa) performing proceedings in the nave of the Cathedral in their robes.

To celebrate the contributions of women scholars, musicians and writers to the Church over the years, choral music will be presented ranging from the Renaissance to the contemporary, including the anthem All Shall Be Well by British composer Joanna Marsh.