Archbishop Sarah Mullally acknowledged the Prince and Princess of Wales with a gesture of respect

Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales attend the Enthronement Ceremony installing Dame Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury at Canterbury Cathedral on March 25, 2026 in Canterbury, United Kingdom. Today Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally is formally installed as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury during a service marking the start of her public ministry. Senior members of the British Royal Family, the Prime Minister, and other dignitaries are among more than 2,000 guests in attendance for the installation service, which also includes faith leaders, school children, and healthcare workers. Mullally, who worked as a nurse before becoming ordained, is the first woman to be appointed leader of the Church of England. The members of the clergy applaud Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally, seated in the Chair of St. Augustine, at the conclusion of the Enthronement Ceremony installing her as the 106th Archbishop, at Canterbury Cathedral in Kent.

Kate Middleton and Prince William Wales attend the Enthronement Ceremony installing Dame Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury at Canterbury Cathedral on March 25, 2026; Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally, seated in the Chair of St. Augustine, at the conclusion of the Enthronement Ceremony installing her as the 106th Archbishop, at Canterbury on March 25, 2026.Credit : Stefan Rousseau – WPA Pool/Getty; Jordan Pettitt/PA Images via Getty

The new Archbishop of Canterbury acknowledged Kate Middleton and Prince William with a gesture of respect at her historic installation service.

On March 25, the Prince and Princess of Wales attended the installation of Dame Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury at Canterbury Cathedral, where the Church of England’s new leader acknowledged the royal couple.

Fan footage shared to X showed that she paused her procession out of the cathedral to stop to greet Prince William, 43, and Princess Kate, 44, who represented King Charles at the event.

Mullally, 64, stopped her walk and paused for a moment to bow to the Prince and Princess of Wales, who continued clapping along with the rest of the congregation.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally during the Enthronement Ceremony installing her as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, at Canterbury Cathedral in Kent.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally during the Enthronement Ceremony installing her as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, at Canterbury Cathedral in Kent on March 25, 2026.Jordan Pettitt/PA Images via Getty

Prince William and Princess Kate both smiled, and the Princess of Wales gave a small nod before Mullally resumed her walk with the rest of the procession.

The exchange echoed a similar scene in 2013, when King Charles and Queen Camilla attended the installation of Justin Welby as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury. Welby took on the role during the late Queen Elizabeth’s reign, and the future King Charles, who was then the Prince of Wales, represented his mother at the service as the heir to the throne.

Mullally made history as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury in the Church of England’s 1,400-year history and was appointed to the role in October 2025 after Welby was involved in a scandal.

The Prince and Princess of Wales during the Enthronement Ceremony installing Dame Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, at Canterbury Cathedral in Kent.

The Prince and Princess of Wales during the Enthronement Ceremony installing Dame Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, at Canterbury Cathedral in Kent on March 25, 2026.Jordan Pettitt/PA Images via Getty

In November 2024, Welby resigned from the prominent post amid criticism of how he handled a probe into “the most prolific serial abuser” affiliated with the Church of England.

He said in a statement that he was stepping down “in sorrow” after seeking the “gracious permission of His Majesty The King” after a report commissioned by the Church of England found that he had not ensured a thorough investigation into accusations of abuse involving over 100 boys and young men at Christian camps decades ago.

Welby was the cleric who crowned King Charles in 2023 and married Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018, executing just a few of the royal duties that the Church of England’s seniormost bishop is entrusted with.

The Most Reverend Justin Welby arrives for his enthronement as Archbishop of Canterbury at Canterbury Cathedral on March 21, 2013

The Most Reverend Justin Welby arrives for his enthronement as Archbishop of Canterbury at Canterbury Cathedral on March 21, 2013 in Canterbury, England.Bethany Clarke/Getty

A social post shared to the royal family’s X account after Mullally’s enthronement explained the relationship between the royals and the archbishop’s role as “a close and enduring one” connected by several factors.

“As a Privy Counsellor, the Archbishop also holds a formal constitutional role, in addition to crowning the Monarch at their Coronation and officiating at royal weddings, baptisms and funerals,” the palace said. “They also work closely with faith leaders of all traditions to foster trust and understanding, and to support shared goals across communities — an important part of His Majesty’s work.”

In a quiet moment, Prince William and Princess Kate were also spotted chatting with Mullally on her installation day. The Prince and Princess of Wales met with Mullally last month, which came with the confirmation that William would attend her installation.

The Prince and Princess of Wales during the Installation of Archbishop Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury at Canterbury Cathedral.

Archbishop Sarah Mullally, Prince William and Kate Middleton during the installation at Canterbury Cathedral on March 25, 2026.Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

Mullally’s appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury was personally approved by King Charles, and the sovereign met with her at Buckingham Palace on Feb. 4.

The audience happened after she was confirmed to the position at St. Paul’s Cathedral on Jan. 28, and she took an oath of allegiance to acknowledge him as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England when they met.

While the Archbishop of Canterbury is the spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion, the British sovereign is the Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the church, ceremonially heading the Church of England.