The Prince and Princess of Wales stepped into London’s historic religious circles this week, meeting influential spiritual leaders as part of their ongoing commitment to engage with faith communities.
Their engagements included discussions with Dame Sarah Mullally, the first woman to become Archbishop of Canterbury, and the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims, Aga Khan.
Meeting the First Female Archbishop of Canterbury
Prince William and Princess Katherine visited Lambeth Palace, where they were welcomed by Dame Sarah Mullally, the trailblazing first female head of the Church of England.
The encounter was marked by warmth and mutual respect, with the couple sharing handshakes and brief courtesies before sitting down for a half-hour discussion.
During the meeting, the atmosphere was relaxed.
William offered a light-hearted comment about navigating the sprawling palace grounds, while Catherine admired the gardens, noting their potential as serene spaces for reflection for both clergy and visitors.
Royal sources highlighted the significance of the meeting, noting that the couple is eager to “spend time with Archbishop Sarah and build a strong working relationship” as they prepare for their future roles as King and Queen.
William is also set to attend Dame Sarah’s formal installation at Canterbury Cathedral on March 25.
Welcoming Aga Khan to Kensington Palace
On the same day, the couple welcomed Aga Khan, the leader of the Ismaili Muslim community, to Kensington Palace.
Prince William was photographed shaking hands with him, and the couple later described the visit on social media as “a pleasure,” emphasizing the importance of dialogue with diverse faith communities in London and beyond.
A Personal Reflection on Faith
The timing of these meetings came just a day after Princess Catherine shared a heartfelt message for World Cancer Day.
Reports suggest that, while neither royal is a regular churchgoer, Catherine has leaned more heavily on her faith following her own experiences with health challenges.
Dame Sarah’s Historic Role in the Church
Dame Sarah Mullally officially became the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury last month at a service in St Paul’s Cathedral, filling the role left by Justin Welby.
She also recently took her place in the House of Lords, where senior Church of England bishops hold 26 reserved seats.
Supported by the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, and the Bishop of Peterborough, Debbie Sellin, she swore an oath of allegiance to King Charles.
Speaking after the ceremony, Dame Sarah emphasized her dedication to “bringing a compassionate voice” to her role and using her experiences as a nurse and priest to influence legislation that improves the lives of all, regardless of faith.
She described her mission as one rooted in equity, justice, and hope.
Ceremony and Future Responsibilities
Dame Sarah will be formally installed at Canterbury Cathedral in March, after which she will begin preaching in her new capacity.
Although the King remains the official head of the Church of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury serves as the senior bishop and spiritual leader for both the Church and the global Anglican Communion, which encompasses roughly 85 million members across more than 165 countries.
The Lords ceremony followed a meeting Dame Sarah had with the King at Buckingham Palace, continuing a tradition dating back to Elizabeth I.
During this audience, she expressed gratitude for the King’s support and reflected on her homage to Queen Elizabeth II eight years earlier.
Growing Church Engagement
The Church of England has seen a modest increase in regular worshippers, with numbers rising from 1.01 million in 2023 to 1.02 million in 2024.
The recent royal interactions underscore the couple’s interest in spiritual leadership and their intention to engage more deeply with faith communities across the UK.
