Princess Kate pictured making unusual gesture during church service with Prince William

The Princess of Wales joined her husband Prince William for the Archbishop of Canterbury’s installation at the Kent cathedral on Wednesday

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The Princess of Wales was impeccably graceful as she arrived at Canterbury Cathedral for the installation of the new Archbishop on Wednesday, even dodging high-force winds by skillfully holding onto her hat.

Kate, 44, had joined her husband, Prince William, to support Dame Sarah Mullally for her enthronement ceremony at the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kent – a significant occasion, as she could one day crown them King and Queen.

The couple were as affectionate as ever and were seen chatting in their seats in the quire before receiving the traditional bow from the new archbishop.

In one picture, the royal mother-of-three even appeared to be licking her lips while looking at her husband. Moments earlier, she had been gazing at William as they met faith leaders, before averting her gaze.

The couple was representing King Charles, just days after William reaffirmed his “quiet” religious faith. William will one day be Supreme Governor of the Church of England and hold the title Defender of the Faith.

A historic occasion

The Waleses smiled and clapped along with the 2,000-strong congregation as those gathered for the historic service erupted with applause after Dame Sarah was formally enthroned.

William and Kate, who had no active role in the ceremony, listened to the first sermon by the new Archbishop, in which she spoke of her hopes for peace in the Middle East, and acknowledged failures on safeguarding in the church.

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The Princess appeared to be licking her lips

While the King is head of the Church of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury is the most senior bishop and the spiritual leader of the Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion.

The ceremony featured a mandate – a legal instruction – from the King, which was read by the Principal Registrar of the Province of Canterbury, Darren Oliver, giving the monarch’s instruction to install Dame Sarah in the role.

As the prince and princess arrived at the cathedral on Wednesday afternoon, Kate, in a long grey fitted Suzannah coat, held on to her wide-brimmed Juliette Botterill hat amid windy weather in Canterbury.

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The Prince and Princess of Wales during the Enthronement Ceremony

The congregation, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, stood while the Waleses processed side-by-side through the nave to their seats in the quire, as a royal fanfare sounded.

William’s Christian beliefs

Heir to the throne William has not been known for his Christian beliefs and is not a regular churchgoer, but will one day be crowned and anointed in holy oil – “the conferment of God’s grace upon a ruler” – as monarch at his coronation.

© Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
Prince William confirmed his “quiet” commitment to the church this week

Unlike King Charles and his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, he does not attend church every Sunday. Instead, he attends services for important occasions such as Christmas and Easter, or weddings.

Three days ahead of Dame Sarah’s installation, an aide to the 43-year-old prince sought to draw a line under debate on William’s stance on religion by saying he had a “quieter” commitment to the Church of England.

The aide added: “He understands the importance of the role he will inherit and is committed to carrying it forward with sincerity, authenticity and a clear sense of purpose.”