Prince William will represent King Charles at the first service led by the new Archbishop of Canterbury next month, stepping in for his father in his role as head of state. While the King is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, the Prince of Wales will deputise on this occasion at Canterbury Cathedral.
Kensington Palace confirmed that Prince William will attend the service on March 25, which coincides with the Feast of the Annunciation. The Archbishop was formally confirmed in her role last month during a ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral and completed the traditional oath of allegiance to the monarch earlier this week.
Ahead of the service, the Prince and Princess of Wales met the Archbishop for an informal discussion, during which William offered his congratulations. Sources suggest the meeting highlighted the importance of faith in the couple’s lives and their desire to build a strong working relationship with the Church of England’s most senior figure ahead of future national and ceremonial events.
Lambeth Palace said the group discussed the vital role churches play within communities, as well as the charitable work carried out by William and Catherine through their Royal Foundation. The Archbishop later described the meeting as a privilege, adding that she looked forward to working with the couple in the years ahead and would continue to hold their family in her prayers.
The conversation continued over afternoon tea, with discussions ranging from the gardens at Lambeth Palace to green spaces in central London. William also asked whether the Archbishop had familiarised herself with the palace layout, to which she replied she was “getting there”.
During the visit, the Princess of Wales debuted a new £1,555 Daniella Draper necklace. The engraved gold piece symbolises love and connection and reflects Catherine’s long-standing appreciation for nature-inspired jewellery, a theme consistent with the designer’s ethos.
