Church of England outlines next steps leading to installation of the new archbishop of Canterbury
Note: After the Oct. 3 announcement that London Bishop Sarah Mullally has been named the 106th archbishop of Canterbury, the Church of England has outlined the next steps in the process leading to her formal installation in March 2026. Those steps are outlined below.
[Church of England] The Canterbury Crown Nominations Commission nominated the name of the preferred candidate to the prime minister, who submitted the name to His Majesty The King for approval. Once approved, the appointment was announced by the prime minister’s office on Oct. 3.
The Congé d’Elire and Letter Missive have been issued to the College of Canons of Canterbury Cathedral on behalf of His Majesty The King to enable the election of the new archbishop to proceed. The Congé d’Elire is a licence from the Crown authorizing the dean and chapter of Canterbury Cathedral to elect the new archbishop. The Letter Missive is a letter from the Crown to the dean and chapter, nominating the person to be elected.
Election of the new archbishop
The College of Canons of Canterbury Cathedral assembles a few weeks after the announcement to formally elect the new archbishop. It is expected that this will take place before Christmas. The College of Canons is made up of lay and ordained people from across the Diocese of Canterbury who serve in a variety of roles and are recognized for the distinct contribution they make.
The College of Canons then issues a certificate to His Majesty The King recording the decision of the College. Letters Patent are issued in His Majesty The King’s name, which is required to confirm the election.
The archbishop of York and other bishops appointed by His Majesty The King then confirm the election of the new archbishop. The Confirmation of Election is a legal ceremony marking the official date on which the elected person becomes the Archbishop of Canterbury. That is expected ot take place at London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral on Jan. 28, 2026.
Homage to the Crown and appointments
The archbishop pays homage to His Majesty The King, as Supreme Governor of the Church of England. The King then restores the Temporalities (certain rights of office) to the archbishop.
If the archbishop is not already a Privy Counsellor, they are appointed to the Privy Council by Order in Council and sworn in by His Majesty The King. The archbishop is also appointed to the House of Lords or re-appointed as archbishop, if he/she was previously a member.
Installation
The archbishop is installed as bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury by the Dean of Canterbury at a service at Canterbury Cathedral, set to be in Marh 2026. The service denotes and marks the start of the new archbishop’s ministry.
