First Female Archbishop of Canterbury Pledges Allegiance to King in Historic Ceremony
The new Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, has formally paid homage to King Charles III in a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace, marking a significant moment in the history of the Church of England. This ancient tradition, which dates back to the reign of Elizabeth I in the 16th century, saw the Archbishop acknowledge the monarch as the supreme governor of the Church.
A Groundbreaking Appointment
Dame Sarah Mullally's appointment is historic, as she becomes the first woman to hold the position of Archbishop of Canterbury in the Church's long history. The role had been vacant for approximately a year following the resignation of Justin Welby, who stepped down amid controversies over the handling of an abuse scandal. Her confirmation in the post occurred last month during a service at St Paul's Cathedral, with this royal ceremony preceding her official installation, or enthronement, scheduled for next month at Canterbury Cathedral.
The Ceremonial Details
During the private event held in the Chinese Dining Room at Buckingham Palace, Dame Sarah knelt before King Charles and placed her hands together in a gesture reminiscent of prayer. The King then took her hands between his own as she repeated the words of the Homage after the Lord Chancellor, David Lammy. Also in attendance was the Bishop of Hereford, the Rt Revd Richard Jackson, who serves as the King's Clerk of the Closet—a role with origins tracing back to the 1430s, responsible for overseeing the royal Ecclesiastical Household and introducing new diocesan bishops to the monarch.
Following the oath, the King directed the Lord Chancellor to issue the necessary Letters and Writs, formalising the allegiance. Photographs from the occasion captured the King shaking hands with Dame Sarah prior to the oath-taking, highlighting the cordial nature of their interaction.
Vision and Leadership
In recent statements, Dame Sarah has expressed her commitment to leading with "calmness, consistency and compassion" during what she describes as "times of division and uncertainty for our fractured world." She has also noted having "encouraging" conversations with King Charles, whom she described as a "great supporter" of the institution and keen to hear about her vision for the Church. This was evident in a previous meeting at the end of January, when she delivered a Sunday sermon at a service on the King's Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
Background and Roles
Before her groundbreaking appointment, Dame Sarah served as the Bishop of London for nearly a decade and has a distinguished background as a former chief nursing officer for England. Her official naming as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury occurred in October, solidifying her role as the most senior bishop and spiritual leader of the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Clerk of the Closet position, held by the Bishop of Hereford, carries an annual nominal salary of just £7, underscoring its ceremonial and historical significance rather than financial reward.
This ceremony not only upholds a long-standing tradition but also symbolises a new chapter for the Church of England under Dame Sarah's leadership, as she navigates the complexities of modern religious and societal challenges while maintaining the ancient ties between the monarchy and the Church.
