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

William, 43, is taking part in his role as heir to the throne, according to recent tradition. 

The monarch, who is Supreme Governor of the Church of England, delegates the duty to their successor.

Kate, in a long grey fitted Suzannah coat, held onto her wide-brimmed Juliette Botterill hat amid windy weather as she and the prince were greeted outside the West Door by Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Lady Colgrain. 

William and Kate have no active role in the service, but will watch as members of the congregation.

The ceremony features a mandate – a legal instruction – from the King, which will be read by Principal Registrar of the Province of Canterbury, Darren Oliver, giving the monarch’s instruction to install Dame Sarah as the Archbishop of Canterbury.

She is the first woman to be appointed Archbishop in its 1,400 year history, and today’s service is her formal installation. 

Dame Sarah is the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury.

William and Catherine previously met her at Lambeth Palace on February 5 and have since indicated their interest in building a warm and meaningful relationship with the most senior bishop in the church and its spiritual leader.

The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive for the start of the ceremony today 

The Prince and Princess of Wales are pictured during the ceremony to install Dame Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury

Dr David Monteith (front) leads the Prince and Princess of Wales as they arrive for the Enthronement Ceremony

Upon arrival, Their Royal Highnesses were received by the Lord Lieutenant, Lady Colgrain, who then introduced them to the Dean of Canterbury, the Very Reverend Dr David Monteith.

The couple were then processed through the Nave and took their seats in the Quire.

They have no role in the service so will simply watch as members of the congregation.

The Prince and Princess will take a few moments to speak to the new Archbishop on their way out.

Dame Sarah was welcomed into Canterbury Cathedral, amid fanfare, by schoolchildren from John Wallis Academy in Ashford.

Having walked to the Cathedral’s West Door amid bright but windy conditions, she knocked it three times using her pastoral staff – the traditional way for a new archbishop to seek permission to enter.

She was questioned by the schoolchildren as to why she had been sent, to which she answered: ‘I am sent as Archbishop to serve you, to proclaim the love of Christ and with you to worship and love him with heart and soul, mind and strength.’

Kate wore a long grey fitted 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

Upon arrival, Their Royal Highnesses were received by the Lord Lieutenant, Lady Colgrain, who then introduced them to the Dean of Canterbury, the Very Reverend Dr David Monteith

During the ceremony, Dame Sarah placed her hand on the St John’s Bible to swear the Corporal Oath – the first time this Bible has been used in this way.

The copy of the first Benedictine hand-illuminated Bible for more than 500 years was given to the cathedral in 2023.

The Augustine Gospels, which were used between 1945 and 2013, when the last archbishop was sworn in, are said to be fragile and not easily moved.

Dame Sarah previously pledged to speak out on misogyny – something she said she had experienced herself and which she insisted must be spoken about ‘so that you bring it out into the open’.

Crowds gathered outside the cathedral ahead of the service, with one person saying they were keen to ‘see this brilliant moment in history’.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch are also among guests in the 2,000-strong congregation inside.

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

The Primates of the Anglican Communion arrive ahead of the Enthronement Ceremony

The Prince and Princess will take a few moments to speak to the new Archbishop on their way out

Dame Sarah said she is aware of the ‘significance of being the first female archbishop’ and paid tribute to the ‘women that have supported me in my ministry, and also the men as well’.

Wednesday’s ceremony has ‘women’s voices right the way through it’, she added.

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

Special features include five of the so-called ‘Africa Six’ – the first female Anglican bishops from across Africa – processing through the Cathedral’s nave in their robes.

And, in celebration of the contribution of female scholars, musicians and writers through the years to the Church, choral music will range from the Renaissance to contemporary, including the anthem All Shall Be Well by British composer Joanna Marsh.