March 25, (THEWILL) — Dame Sarah Mullally was officially enthroned as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, becoming the first woman to lead the Church of England in its 1,400-year history.
She takes over more than a year after Justin Welby stepped down amid criticism over his handling of a sexual abuse review.
The ceremony was held at Canterbury Cathedral with around 2,000 guests, including the Prince and Princess of Wales and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Mullally, 63, began her career as a nurse and later became Chief Nursing Officer for England.
She was ordained as a priest, became Bishop of London in 2018, and was confirmed as Archbishop in January 2026.
In her first sermon, she spoke about unity, inclusion, and service. NHS nurses and local carers attended to reflect her healthcare background.
She takes on leadership amid debates over gender roles, same-sex relationships, and safeguarding, and has promised to lead with compassion and transparency.
Her enthronement marks a historic new chapter for the Church, nearly 1,430 years after the first Archbishop of Canterbury.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
