Royal Warrant - For a Congé d'élire for the See of Canterbury [2025-11-17]

Royal Warrant - For a Congé d'élire for the See of Canterbury [2025-11-17]

Great Seal

Archbishops and Bishops

Royal Warrant of King Charles III directing the Lord Chancellor to pass Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm granting a Congé d'élire to the College of Canons of Canterbury Cathedral for the election of a new archbishop.

King Charles III

FOI request

2025-11-17

T. Onslow

Diocese of Canterbury

(Sgd.) Charles R

CHARLES THE THIRD by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith: To Our right trusty and well beloved Counsellor Our Chancellor of Great Britain one of Our Principal Secretaries of State GREETING: WE WILL AND COMMAND that under the Great Seal of Our Realm remaining in your custody you cause these Our Letters to be made forth Patent in form following:

CHARLES THE THIRD by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To Our trusty and well beloved the College of Canons of Our Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Christ in Canterbury Greeting Supplication having been humbly made to Us on your part that whereas the See of Canterbury is now void and destitute of the solace of a Pastor by the resignation of Our right trusty and well beloved Counsellor the Most Reverend Justin Portal Welby Master of Arts lately Archbishop thereof We would be graciously pleased to grant you Our fundatorial leave and licence to elect another Archbishop and Pastor of the said See We being favourably inclined to your prayers in this behalf have thought fit by virtue of these Presents to grant you such leave and licence Requiring and Commanding you by the faith and allegiance by which you stand bound to Us that you elect a such person for your Archbishop and Pastor as may be devoted to God and useful and faithful to Us and Our Kingdom In Witness &c. Witness &c.

Given at Our Court at Saint James’s the seventeenth day of November two thousand and twenty-five in the fourth year of Our Reign

BY HIS MAJESTY'S COMMAND
(Sgd.) David Lammy

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY

This contains a Warrant to the Lord High Chancellor to pass Letters Patent under the Great Seal whereby Your Majesty is pleased to grant unto the College of Canons of Your Majesty’s Cathedral and Metropolitical Church, Canterbury, Your Royal Licence to elect an Archbishop of the See of Canterbury, the same being void by the resignation of the Most Reverend Justin Portal Welby, M.A., lately Archbishop thereof And this Warrant is prepared according to Your Majesty’s Royal Command

Signified by Secretary of State

FARRAR
Clerk of the Crown in Chancery

Received the 17^th day
of November 2025

(Sgd.) David Lammy

David Lammy (Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice)

Black and white Royal Arms at the top.

Printed in Times New Roman.

Royal name is capitalized and in boldface. First instance begins with a drop cap.

Cathedral name is in boldface.