Rooted in centuries of tradition, the service will look forward with the hope of Jesus Christ – and celebrate the diversity of the Church of England, the nation and the Anglican Communion today. Archbishop Sarah will be installed on the Cathedral Chair (Cathedra) as the Diocesan Bishop of the See of Canterbury, the oldest diocese in the English church. Following this, she will be installed on the Chair of St Augustine (St Augustine Cathedra) as Primate of All England, which also symbolises her ministry in the Anglican Communion.

[…]

Bishop Sarah remains Bishop of London until her Confirmation of Election at St Paul’s Cathedral on 28  January 2026, at which she will legally become the Archbishop of Canterbury. Until then, as well as preparing to begin her ministry as Archbishop, Bishop Sarah is fulfilling her remaining commitments as Bishop of London.

Crown Nominations Commission

After nomination

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The Canterbury Crown Nominations Commission nominated the name of the preferred candidate to the Prime Minister, who submitted the name to His Majesty The King for approval. Once approved, the appointment is announced by 10 Downing Street.

The Congé d’Elire and Letter Missive have been issued to the College of Canons of Canterbury Cathedral on behalf of His Majesty The King to enable the election of the new archbishop to proceed. The Congé d’Elire is a licence from the Crown authorising the dean and chapter of Canterbury Cathedral to elect the new archbishop. The Letter Missive is a letter from the Crown to the dean and chapter, nominating the person to be elected.

Election of the new archbishop

After the announcement, the College of Canons of Canterbury Cathedral assembles a few weeks later to formally elect the new archbishop. The College of Canons is made up of lay and ordained people from across the Diocese of Canterbury who serve in a variety of roles and are recognised for the distinct contribution they make.

The College of Canons then issues a certificate to His Majesty The King recording the decision of the College. Letters Patent are issued in His Majesty The King’s name, which is required to confirm the election.

The Archbishop of York and other bishops appointed by His Majesty The King then confirm the election of the new archbishop. The Confirmation of Election is a legal ceremony marking the official date on which the elected person becomes the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Homage to the Crown and appointments

The archbishop pays homage to His Majesty The King, as Supreme Governor of the Church of England. The King then restores the Temporalities (certain rights of office) to the archbishop.

If the archbishop is not already a Privy Counsellor, they are appointed to the Privy Council by Order in Council and sworn in by His Majesty The King. The archbishop is also appointed to the House of Lords or re-appointed as archbishop, if he/she was previously a member.

Installation

The archbishop is installed as Bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury by the Dean of Canterbury at a service at Canterbury Cathedral. The service denotes and marks the start of the new archbishop’s ministry.

Key dates

• Election by the College of Canons of Canterbury Cathedral: Before Christmas (TBC)
• Confirmation of Election at St Paul’s Cathedral: 28 January 2026
• Installation at Canterbury Cathedral: March 2026

Comment

When her election as Archbishop of Canterbury is confirmed, the See of London becomes void; up to that point she can sit and vote in the Lords as Bishop of London, but afterwards will be re-introduced to the Upper House as Archbishop of Canterbury.

On 15 October 2025 The Diocese of London opened the Diocesan Consultation for next Bishop of London, extracts of which are reproduced in our post “Vacancy in See – London”

The pattern of events follows that described for bishops, in Bishops: from announcement to installation.