AN ARCHDEACON has said she is “delighted” to have been asked to become one of the Queen’s chaplains.

Buckingham Palace yesterday announced the appointment of the Ven Fiona Windsor, Archdeacon of Horsham as one of the monarch’s chaplains.

It comes after Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin was appointed as Bishop of Dover.

The Argus:

The Bishop of Chichester, Dr Martin Warner, welcomed the appointment and said: “I am delighted that the archdeacon of Horsham, Fiona Windsor, has been appointed as a Chaplain to the Queen.

“This appointment is a timely recognition of the outstanding contribution that Fiona has made to changing the culture of this diocese, in the promotion of ordained women, in care for clergy and their families and dependents, and in the work of the Mission Fund particularly among young people.

“Fiona has also been involved at a national level in matters of discipline and mission consultation.

“As we applaud the wonderful news of this appointment, we look forward to the contribution that Fiona will continue to make to our apostolic life in this diocese.

“And we think she will look great in the red cassock that is a sign of her new status.”

An Honorary Chaplain to the Queen (QHC) is a member of the clergy within the United Kingdom who, through long and distinguished service, is appointed to minister to the monarch.

Fiona was ordained in 2000 and appointed Team Vicar of Papworth in 2004 following her curacy in the Guildford Diocese.

She was appointed Team Rector in 2008.

In 2012 Fiona was appointed Bishop’s Adviser to Women’s Ministry and installed as an Honorary Canon of Ely Cathedral.

She was appointed as Archdeacon of Horsham in the Diocese of Chichester in 2014.

Fiona’s Husband, Robin, was a senior manager in local government, and they have two grown up children, Rebecca and Adam. In her spare time Fiona enjoys cooking and entertaining, painting, music and the arts.

Archdeacon Fiona said she was delighted to be appointed to the role.

She said: “It is a wonderful privilege and I am deeply honoured to serve the monarchy in this way.”

The Rev Hudson-Wilkin became the first ever black woman bishop last November.

She was that month consecrated as the new Dover Bishop, replacing the Rt Rev Trevor Willmott.