The Dean of Canterbury, the Very Revd Robert Willis, announced at Evensong on Friday 8th November 2002 that the Most Revd Rowan D Williams was elected 104th Archbishop of Canterbury by the Greater Chapter of Canterbury in an ancient ceremony in the Cathedral Chapter House that morning. The vote was unanimous. The dean described the election as "an ancient custom and ceremony" of Canterbury. He spoke of "thanksgiving and joy" at the news of the election results.

Dean Willis presided over the solemn assembly surrounded by the members of the Chapter and a host of canons and honorary canons, all of whom had the right to vote in the meeting, all accomplished in the presence of two legal witnesses. Among the canons voting were the Secretary General of the Anglican Consultative Council, the Revd Canon John L. Peterson, the Revd Canon John Rees and the Revd Canon Herman Browne, Anglican Communion Affairs Officer at Lambeth Palace. Before the vote the ancient hymn Veni Creator Spiritus was chanted and prayers offered.

The dean's mandate following the balloting was to inform Her Majesty the Queen and the now Archbishop of Canterbury Elect of the election results. Evensong was the first public service following the election, with the Dean and Chapter members processing to the High Altar to make the announcement to "Christian everywhere". During the service prayers were said for the cathedral, diocese, the Church of England and the Anglican Communion, and particularily for the Archbishop Elect and his family.

Archbishop Williams' enthronement is set for 27th February next year in the Mother Church of the Anglican Communion in Canterbury.