The BBC is once again defending itself over its decision not to broadcast the 2026 Commonwealth Day Service on its main channel, despite agreeing to air the Installation of the Archbishop of Canterbury on Wednesday, which the Prince and Princess of Wales will attend.
For the first time since 1989, the Commonwealth Day Service, which was attended by King Charles, Queen Camilla, and other senior members of the Royal Family on March 9, was not broadcast on BBC One.
Instead, the channel opted to air an episode of Escape to the Country.
The broadcaster is, however, scheduled to air the Installation of the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury on Wednesday, March 25.
Kensington Palace has confirmed that Prince William and Catherine, who previously met Sarah Mullally on February 5 at Lambeth Palace, will be in attendance during the ceremony.
When GB News asked the BBC about its decision to air this event, but not the Commonwealth Day Service, a spokeswoman exclusively said: “The Installation of an Archbishop of Canterbury, the most senior bishop in the Church of England, is an historic event and we are pleased to be able to broadcast the ceremony to audiences across the UK.
“Our decision not to broadcast the Commonwealth Day Ceremony in the same way we’ve done in previous years reflects the difficult choices we have to make in light of our funding challenges.
“The event was covered by BBC News.”
BBC 'pleased' to broadcast event attended by Catherine and William despite previously sparking backlash
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Catherine and William pictured at the Commonwealth Day Service on March 9, 2026
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There is precedent for the BBC prioritising events such as these, as the Installation of the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, was aired by the broadcaster in 2013.
The synopsis for Wednesday's event states: "Historically known as an enthronement, the installation marks the symbolic start of the archbishop of Canterbury’s public ministry in the Church of England and across the Anglican Communion.
"Dame Sarah Mullally is the first woman to take this role."
Archbishop Sarah legally became Archbishop of Canterbury in January, but her installation at Canterbury Cathedral will mark the symbolic start of her public ministry.
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Prince William and Catherine previously met Sarah Mullally on February 5 at Lambeth Palace
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She will take her seat, or be “installed”, in two special chairs: first as Archbishop of Canterbury in the “Quire Cathedra” and then in the ancient chair of St Augustine.
The symbolic elements will also include Archbishop Sarah’s arrival, in which she will bang three times on the West Door of the Cathedral seeking permission to enter.
As well as the Prince and Princess of Wales, Sir Keir Starmer, and the Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch, will be there.
There will also be representatives from the Vatican as well as leaders of the Roman Catholic Church across the British Isles, the Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches, and other major Christian denominations.
Dame Sarah Mullally is the first woman appointed to the Church of England's most senior clerical role in its nearly 500-year history | PAWhen the BBC confirmed the Commonwealth Day Service would not be aired on its main channel, a spokesman defended the scheduling change.
He told the Sun at the time: “Our decision not to broadcast the Commonwealth Day ceremony in the same way we've done in previous years reflects the difficult choices we have to make in light of our funding challenges.
“BBC News plans to cover the service across its platforms, including the BBC One bulletins and rolling news channel.”