In a landmark ceremony steeped in centuries of tradition yet marking a profound step forward for the Church of England and the global Anglican Communion, the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE was formally enthroned yesterday as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury the first woman to hold the ancient office in its 1,400-year history.
The enthronement service took place on March 25, 2026 the Feast of the Annunciation at Canterbury Cathedral, attended by approximately 2,000 guests, including Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales. The event symbolized the public beginning of Dame Sarah’s ministry as spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion, which encompasses some 85 million members across more than 165 countries.
Dame Sarah, 63, brings a remarkable and unconventional background to the role. Before her ordination, she trained and worked as a midwife and nurse, later rising to become England’s Chief Nursing Officer. She was ordained as a priest at age 40 and has served in increasingly senior positions within the Church, including as Suffragan Bishop of Crediton in the Diocese of Exeter and, from 2018, as the first female Bishop of London. Her election was confirmed at St Paul’s Cathedral on January 28, 2026.
In her address during the service, Dame Sarah spoke of the “immense privilege” of the role and expressed her commitment to a Church that is inclusive, compassionate, and outward-looking. The ceremony featured elements reflecting the diversity of the Anglican Communion, with readings and prayers in multiple languages including Spanish, Urdu, and Bemba (Zambia).
The enthronement follows the resignation of her predecessor amid challenges facing the Church and comes at a time when the Anglican Communion continues to navigate questions of unity, mission, and relevance in the modern world.
“Today marks not only a personal calling fulfilled but a recognition of the gifts that women bring to every level of ministry,” said one senior Church figure present at the service. “Dame Sarah’s journey from caring for mothers and babies at the bedside to leading the mother Church of the Anglican world is deeply inspiring.”
Dame Sarah’s leadership is expected to emphasize pastoral care, social justice, global partnerships, and the continued healing and renewal of the Church following recent difficulties.
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England and holds a unique “first among equals” status within the Anglican Communion.
Born in 1962 in Woking, England, Dame Sarah Mullally trained as a nurse and midwife before serving as Chief Nursing Officer for England. She was consecrated as a bishop in 2015 and installed as Bishop of London in 2018. She is the first woman to serve as Archbishop of Canterbury.