Sarah Mullally makes history as first woman enthroned as Archbishop of Canterbury [View all]

By Gavin Blackburn
Published on 25/03/2026 - 18:42 GMT+1

Sarah Mullally during the Enthronement Ceremony installing her as Archbishop of Canterbury in Canterbury, 25 March, 2026 AP Photo

She worked in the UK’s state-run National Health Service for more than three decades, rising to become its chief nursing officer for England in 1999.

A former midwife made history on Wednesday when she was enthroned as Archbishop of Canterbury, the first woman to lead the centuries-old church of the world's 85 million-strong Anglican community.

Sarah Mullally, 63, was formally installed in a historic ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral in southeast England in front of around 2,000 people including heir to the throne Prince William and his wife Catherine.

In accordance with tradition, the ceremony began with Mullally knocking three times with a staff on the cathedral's west door to request admission.
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https://www.euronews.com/culture/2026/03/25/sarah-mullally-makes-history-as-first-woman-enthroned-as-archbishop-of-canterbury