The Right Reverend Dorrien Davies, Lord Bishop of St Davids, will be installed as the Dean of the Royal Chaplaincy for Wales during a service to mark Accession Day at his Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew & Saint David, on Tuesday 8th September at 3.00pm.
Bishop Dorrien has been appointed by The King as Dean of the new Chaplaincy, which comprises six King’s Honorary Chaplains, one for each of the six dioceses of the Church in Wales.
Six senior clerics have been appointed to the roles in recognition of their distinguished service and they received their insignia of office directly from The King at a historic Royal Maundy service at St Asaph cathedral in April.
Honorary King’s Chaplains have traditionally been appointed for the Church of England and the Church of Scotland, but can also include other denominations. This is the first time clerics of the Church in Wales have been appointed.
St Davids cathedral has historic links with the Royal Family through the Tudor dynasty. It is unique among cathedrals in the United Kingdom in that since the Reformation the Sovereign has held the stall of the First Canon Cursal, which is among the stalls, or seats, of the Cathedral Chapter members in the Quire.
The Chaplains wear a distinctive scarlet cassock and a badge with the Royal cypher. Each will be invited to preach at a Royal Chapel during their period of appointment. They may also be invited by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for each county to participate in national, civic and local events and Royal visits in each of the Lieutenancies of Wales.
The appointment of the Dean recognises the special relationship of His Majesty The King with Wales. His Majesty was the longest-serving Prince of Wales and has ensured that the language and culture of Wales is given prominence in Royal occasions, including by using the Welsh language in the Coronation, commissioning the processional Cross of Wales, and continuing with the tradition of Royal Harpist.
The service at St Davids Cathedral will not be attended by any Members of the Royal Family, however, members of the public wishing to attend the service will be admitted once invited guests have been seated.