Overview
- Dame Sarah Mullally, who completed a six-day, 140 km walk Sunday, was received at Canterbury Cathedral by the mayor, the Bishop of Dover and the Dean as crowds cheered and bells rang.
- Her enthronement on Wednesday at Canterbury Cathedral will seat more than 2,000 guests, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, over two dozen Anglican primates and a representative of the Holy See.
- The service will blend ancient rites with global touches, from knocking at the west door and seating in the 13th‑century Chair of St Augustine to multilingual prayers, African choruses and a procession that includes pioneering female bishops from Africa.
- A conservative Anglican bloc known as Gafcon has set up a new council challenging her leadership and continues to oppose women’s ordination and wider LGBTQ+ inclusion across parts of the Communion.
- As the symbolic head of an 85 million‑member Anglican family who leads by persuasion rather than decree, she takes office during a Kent meningitis outbreak, with organizers keeping the service unchanged while they track health guidance.