When the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II takes place on Monday (September 19) the world will be watching as members of the royal family say 'goodbye' and give thanks to a monarch who served the country for 70 years. And, while the eyes of a nation - and the world - will be on His Majesty King Charles III and the rest of the royals, it's worth keeping an eye out for the man leading the service, Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster.
The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle MBE is the 39th Dean of Westminster, a role he has held since November 16, 2019, but he had previously been Dean of Bristol between the years of 2010 and 2019, leading services at the city's cathedral. The Dean of Bristol is the head of the Chapter (a body of clergy) of the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity (the formal name for Bristol Cathedral).
Following David Hoyle's appointment as Dean of Westminster, an acting Dean was installed between 2019 and 2020 for Bristol, Michael Johnson before the current Dean, Amanda Ford took over on a permanent basis on October 3, 2020. But what do you need to know about the man leading the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on Monday?
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Who is David Hoyle and what is his job?
As Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle MBE is responsible for the overseeing of the spiritual life of Westminster Abbey and giving his leadership to the Abbey community. Like his role here in Bristol, he acts as the head of the chapter at Westminster Abbey, however, due to the Abbey's status as Royal Peculiar- (a Church of England parish or church exempt from the jurisdiction of the diocese and the province in which it lies) the Dean answers not to the Bishop of London or the Archbishop of Canterbury, but rather directly to the British monarch.
Dr Hoyle was actually born in Lancashire and was educated at Watford Grammar School for Boys. He studied history and theology at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1980 and later with a Master of Arts (MA) in 1983.
He trained for ordination at Ripon College, Cuddesdon between the years of 1984 and 1986 and continued his studies at Magdalene College, Cambridge where he completed his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in 1991. His doctoral thesis was titled: "Near popery yet no popery: theological debate in Cambridge 1590 - 1644".
As well as his role in Bristol, Dr Hoyle has also been vicar of Christ Church in Southgate, London and Director of Ministry for the Diocese of Gloucester and residentiary canon of Gloucester Cathedral until his appointment to the deanery in 2010. He was even appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to faith and vulnerable communities in Bristol.
What will his duties be during the Queen's funeral on Monday?
While the funeral will be conducted/officiated by Dr David Hoyle, the sermon will be preached by The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England and Metropolitan.
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