A new honorary chaplain to King Charles III has been selected.

Rev Kalantha Brewis, the rector of Hallow and Grimley with Holt and Lower Broadheathas, has been appointed alongside her new role as area dean for Worcester.

Her appointment as royal chaplain was formally recognised during a Buckingham Palace garden party, where she was presented to the Prince and Princess of Wales.

As part of her new responsibilities, Kalantha will preach annually at the Chapel Royal and is entitled to wear a scarlet cassock, signifying her service to the monarch.

She said: “It was a complete surprise to have been nominated for this honour by the former Bishop of Worcester.

“I took our benefice administrator Lorna with me to the garden party as it was important to me to take someone from the community which I seek to serve and who support me in my ministry.”

The role of area dean includes supporting clergy, lay leaders and parishes in collaboration with diocesan leadership.

Kalantha praised the team she’ll be working with: “This is a fantastic deanery with lovely people... the leadership team are really dynamic and already have a strong sense of purpose, particularly in developing work with children and young people.”

Reflecting on her unexpected calling, she added: “God is always leading us into unexpected situations, and I feel God is calling me into this new chapter of my ministry, which is very exciting.”