The King holds audience with Bishop of Norwich

The King met with Bishop Graham Usher in private in Buckingham Palace's 1844 room

The King has held an audience with one of the possible contenders to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury.

He welcomed the Bishop of Norwich, the Right Reverend Graham Usher, to Buckingham Palace on Wednesday to appoint him as Lord High Almoner.

It came a day after the monarch accepted the resignation of Justin Welby amid an historic abuse scandal.

Bishop Usher is thought to be in the running to become the next spiritual leader of the 85 million-strong Anglian Communion.

Others who could become the 106th archbishop include Bishop of London Dame Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell and Bishop of Chelmsford Guli Francis-Dehqani.

The King's meeting with Bishop Usher was held in private in the palace's 1844 room.

An independent report found Archbishop Justin Welby failed to report prolific child abuser John Smyth

The role of Lord High Almoner dates back to the 12th Century and involves attending upon, or representing, the sovereign at the Royal Maundy Service.

Bishop Usher, 54, is an ecologist, a keen beekeeper and the Church's lead bishop on the environment, while the King is known for his campaigning on green issues.

He became the 72nd Bishop of Norwich in 2019 and is patron or president of more than 25 charities.

Scandal has enveloped the Church this week after an independent report found Justin Welby failed to report prolific child abuser John Smyth.

In a statement, Bishop Usher said he was "utterly appalled" by the contents of the Makin Review.

He said he supported the decision to resign, adding it was up to all working in the Church of England to "ensure that everyone who comes into contact with the Church is kept safe".