Kate Middleton and Prince William​​ are helping to welcome the new Archbishop of Canterbury.

On Feb. 5, the Prince and Princess of Wales met the Most Reverend Sarah Mullally at Lambeth Palace in London.

In October 2025, Mullally was announced as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury in the Church of England’s 1,428-year history, taking on the role in an appointment personally approved by King Charles.

She took on the job after Justin Welby, the previous Archbishop of Canterbury, resigned from the role in November 2024 amid criticism of how he handled an investigation into a child sex abuse scandal affiliated with the church.

The royal couple met with the new Archbishop ahead of her Installation at Canterbury Cathedral on March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation. The Prince of Wales is expected to attend the event, known as an enthronement.

Mullally, 63, is the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury and will officially begin her public ministry when she is installed at the service this spring. PA reported that Prince William shared his “congratulations” for Mullally as she takes on the job and that the meeting reflected the importance that William, 43, and Kate, 44, place on faith, along with their wish to build a strong working relationship with her.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is the Church of England’s most senior bishop and spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Mullally was confirmed to the role at St. Paul’s Cathedral on Jan. 28 and took an oath of allegiance to King Charles on Feb. 4, acknowledging him as the supreme governor of the Church of England, PA said.

That tradition dates back to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, and she paid homage to the sovereign at Buckingham Palace.

King Charles, 77, and Prince William’s respective meetings with Mullally were not their only events with a religious leader this week.

On Feb. 4, King Charles hosted a private dinner for the Aga Khan at Windsor Castle to commemorate the first anniversary of his accession. Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini is The Aga Khan V and the spiritual leader of the Shia Nizari Ismaili Muslims.

The following day, the Prince of Wales met with the Aga Khan, 54, at Kensington Palace.