The King is to inaugurate the Church of England’s General Synod for the first time in his reign.

He’ll give an address in the Synod chamber on 17 November in his role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

It will be the Church of England’s 12th General Synod since the system began in 1970 with members selected every five years. Following elections this Autumn, the 487 new members make up the Houses of Clergy and Laity and the suffragan members of the House of Bishops. They'll serve until 2031.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Rev Dame Sarah Mullally and the Archbishop of York, Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, will also give addresses. Although Dame Sarah delivered a Presidential address to the Winter session of Synod in February, this will be her first as archbishop at an inaugural session.

Ahead of the session at Church House in Westminster, the King will attend a service at Westminster Abbey.

Following the inauguration, Synod will hold a short series of sessions which will include an update on safeguarding and discussions on subjects including the challenges of maintaining church buildings; funding the church’s mission and clergy wellbeing.

The General Synod’s role includes considering and approving legislation affecting the whole of the Church of England, formulating new forms of worship, debating matters of national and international importance, and approving the annual budget for the work of the Church at a national level.

It replaced an earlier body known as the Church Assembly.