Historic Homage Ceremony at Buckingham Palace
In a significant moment for both the monarchy and the Church of England, the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, has formally paid homage to King Charles III at Buckingham Palace. The ceremony, which took place on Wednesday, saw Dame Sarah make the traditional oath of allegiance to the sovereign, acknowledging him as the supreme governor of the Church of England.
A Tradition Dating Back Centuries
The homage ritual itself is steeped in history, with origins tracing back to the reign of Elizabeth I in the 16th century. During the private ceremony held in the Chinese Dining Room, Dame Sarah would have knelt before the King, placing her hands together as if in prayer. King Charles then takes her hands between his own as the Archbishop repeats the words of the Homage after the Lord Chancellor.
This ancient tradition marks a pivotal moment in the relationship between the Crown and the Church, formalising the Archbishop's role as the spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion while recognising the monarch's constitutional position as head of the Church of England.
Praise for the Monarch's Faith and Service
Following the ceremony, Dame Sarah released a statement through Lambeth Palace expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to pay homage to the King. She specifically highlighted His Majesty's deep Christian faith and his life of service to both the nation and the Commonwealth.
"It was a privilege to pay homage to His Majesty The King at Buckingham Palace," Dame Sarah stated. "I give thanks for His Majesty's deep Christian faith, demonstrated in his life of service to our nation and the Commonwealth."
The Archbishop also reflected on the poignant connection to recent history, noting that she had previously paid homage to the King's late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, when she became Bishop of London eight years ago.
A Groundbreaking Appointment
Dame Sarah Mullally's appointment represents a historic milestone as she becomes the first female Archbishop of Canterbury in the Church's long history. She was confirmed in this prestigious role last month during a service at St Paul's Cathedral, following approximately a year during which the position remained vacant after Justin Welby announced his resignation over failures in handling an abuse scandal.
Before assuming this groundbreaking position, Dame Sarah served as Bishop of London for nearly a decade and previously held the role of chief nursing officer for England. Her diverse background brings a unique perspective to the leadership of the Anglican Communion.
Royal Support and Future Vision
The Archbishop has spoken positively about her relationship with the monarch, revealing that she has had "encouraging" conversations with King Charles. She described him as a "great supporter" of the institution who was "keen to hear from me about my vision."
This royal ceremony precedes Dame Sarah's formal installation, or enthronement, which is scheduled to take place at Canterbury Cathedral next month. The Archbishop has expressed her hope to lead with "calmness, consistency and compassion" during what she described as "times of division and uncertainty for our fractured world."
Ceremonial Participants and Historical Roles
Also present for the Homage to the Crown were several distinguished figures:
- The Lord Chancellor David Lammy
- The Bishop of Hereford, the Rt Revd Richard Jackson, who serves as the King's Clerk of the Closet
The role of Clerk of the Closet itself carries considerable historical weight, dating back to the 1430s. This position heads the royal Ecclesiastical Household and bears responsibility for thirty royal chaplains, with the additional duty of introducing new diocesan bishops to the monarch. Remarkably, this ancient role carries an annual nominal salary of just £7.
Broader Royal Context
The homage ceremony occurred against a backdrop of ongoing challenges for the royal family, including the continuing Jeffrey Epstein scandal. The King's brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, faces fresh allegations related to the disgraced financier, though he has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
In a separate development, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced that the King has agreed that Lord Mandelson should no longer serve as a privy counsellor. This decision follows accusations that Lord Mandelson leaked sensitive government information to Epstein, with the Prime Minister stating he had "brought the reputation of the Privy Council into disrepute."
Despite these external pressures, the homage ceremony represents a moment of continuity and tradition, reinforcing the enduring relationship between the Crown and the Church of England as both institutions navigate contemporary challenges while honouring centuries of history.
