The British monarch, Queen Elizabeht II, has conferred a peerage for life on Dr. Rowan Williams the Archbishop of Canterbury upon his retirement from the See of Canterbury.

The Rev. Williams will be created a Baron for Life by the style and title of Baron Williams of Oystermouth in the City and County of Swansea, according to the office of the Prime Minister, David Cameron.

Williams was born in Swansea, south Wales.

Life Peerages are awarded to people who have given significant public service.

Williams will step down at the end of the year after a decade of service as Archbishop of Canterbury to become the Master of Magdalene College in Cambridge, England.

He was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury in 2002, having previously been Archbishop of Wales.