Sarah Mullally has met King Charles at Buckingham Palace, according to a statement released on Wednesday.
Mullally, the first woman to serve as Archbishop of Canterbury, said it was a privilege to pay homage to the King at the palace. She spoke warmly about his Christian faith, describing it as something reflected in his lifetime of service to the nation and the Commonwealth.
She also noted the personal significance of the moment, recalling that she had paid homage to the King’s late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, when she was appointed Bishop of London. Mullally added that she was grateful for the King’s support as she begins her new ministry leading the Church of England.
Mullally was formally confirmed as Archbishop of Canterbury on January 28 during a traditional ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral. The historic cathedral was transformed into a court of law for the Confirmation of Election, an ancient legal ceremony held within a church service that marks the moment an archbishop-elect officially takes office.
She now becomes the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury and the spiritual leader of around 85 million Christians across 165 countries in the global Anglican Communion. During the ceremony, Mullally took an oath of allegiance before senior bishops acting as Royal Commissioners under the authority of King Charles.
