Prince and Princess of Wales visit with religious leaders

The Prince and Princess of Wales visited with religious leaders on Thursday. 

On Thursday, 5th February, the Prince and Princess of Wales visited Lambeth Palace to meet with the new Archbishop of Canterbury, while the Prince met with the Aga Khan at Kensington Palace earlier in the day.

Their Royal Highnesses were greeted by the Archbishop of Canterbury on the steps of Lambeth Palace on Thursday before heading inside for various discussions. The half-hour talks, in the study, were the first time the three have met since the Archbishop’s confirmation at St. Paul’s Cathedral last month. Prince William was seen congratulating Dame Sarah on the historic appointment.

The Archbishop of Canterbury spoke of the “privilege” it was to meet the Prince and Princess on Thursday, saying:

I know we hold the same hope for a better world and I look forward to working together in the years to come. I will continue to hold them and their family in my prayers.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are keen on forging a bond with the new Archbishop, which underscores the couple’s Christian faith. A source says William and Catherine were “looking forward to spending time with Archbishop Sarah and building a strong working relationship with her.” It should be noted that Dame Sarah Mullally, as the Archbishop of Canterbury, may one day crown William as King in the far future.

The audience was the first in many to come as the Archbishop undergoes an Installation Ceremony—formally Enthronement—at Canterbury Cathedral next month. The Royal News Organisation has learned that Prince William is expected to attend the historic service.

This week, the new Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally, paid homage to King Charles in an audience at Buckingham Palace. The formal meeting sees the new Archbishop swear an oath of allegiance, as King Charles is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

Dame Sarah Mullally is the first woman to hold the role in the Church of England’s 1,428-year history. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the most senior Bishop and spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

Earlier in the day, Prince William received the Aga Khan at Kensington Palace. The Aga Khan V, Prince Shah Rahim al-Hussaini, is on an official visit to the United Kingdom, which coincides with the first anniversary of his accession as the 50th Hereditary Ismaili Imam (Mawlana Hazar Imam).

The Ismaili noted:

For more than 60 years, the Ismaili community has worked closely with royal organisations to promote peace, pluralism and social progress in the UK and the Commonwealth.

The Aga Khan serves as a spiritual leader to the global Shia Nizari Isma’ili Muslim community with an estimated following of around 12-15 million.

King Charles III also hosted the Aga Khan V at Windsor Castle for a private dinner on Wednesday, 4th February. Members of the Aga Khan family were also present.

The meetings today highlight the growing central roles Prince William and Catherine continue to undertake as future King and Queen.