On 25 March 2026, a historic milestone was reached when, for the first time in the 1,400-year history of the role of the Archbishop of Canterbury, a woman was installed.

Dame Sarah Mullally formally took her seat on the Chair of St Augustine at Canterbury Cathedral before an audience of around 2,000 distinguished guests, including Prince William, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Her Grace Visakha Dasi, Temple President, was invited to attend as part of a multi-faith presence in the Cathedral: “Representing Bhaktivedanta Manor at this momentous occasion, I was deeply struck by the spirit of inclusivity that permeated the ceremony. Religious leaders from a wide range of faiths and Christian denominations gathered together, reflecting a genuine sense of unity. The celebrations were enriched by vibrant elements such as traditional African dance, along with prayers and singing in African languages, Urdu, and Spanish.

“The atmosphere throughout was one of harmony—embracing diversity across faiths, cultures, generations, and traditions, while bridging the gap between heritage and modernity.

“I am grateful that Bhaktivedanta Manor, and the Hare Krishna movement founded by Srila Prabhupada, were represented at this historic event. Inspired by the strong example of inclusivity set on this occasion, I look forward to continued cooperation with people of all backgrounds in promoting greater God consciousness in a world that greatly needs it”.