The 106th archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally made history in 2025 as the first woman to be appointed archbishop of Canterbury. (more) What Happens When the Archbishop of Canterbury Is Enthroned? Learn about the installation of Sarah Mullally. Written by Melissa Petruzzello Melissa Petruzzello (she/her) is Assistant Managing Editor and covers plants, algae, fungi, insects, spiders, renewable energy and environmental engineering. She also handles certain topics in Christianity,... Melissa Petruzzello Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Mar. 11, 2026 •History On March 25, 2026, Sarah Mullally will be installed as the 106th archbishop of Canterbury, the first woman in the more than 1,400-year history of the office. The installation, or enthronement, of a new archbishop of Canterbury—the senior bishop of the Church of England and of the global Anglican Communion—marks the ceremonial beginning of the archbishop’s public ministry. By the time the service takes place, the archbishop has already been formally elected and legally confirmed in...

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