Edward, Duke of Kent, celebrated 61 years since his initiation into Freemasonry

On 16th December 2024, Edward, Duke of Kent, celebrated 61 years since his initiation into Freemasonry. A descendant of the British royal Windsor dynasty and a cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Edward is also Grand Master of the oldest United Grand Lodge in England, founded in 1717.

Even before the establishment of the Grand Lodge, Freemasonry began to be called «royal art», because at the end of the 17th century the English King William III of Orange (1650-1702) became a Freemason. The English nobility did not hide their ties to the brotherhood, and in 1737 Frederick, Prince of Wales of the ruling Hanoverian dynasty, was admitted to Freemasonry. His son Henry, Duke of Cumberland and Strathearn, served as Grand Master of the First Grand Lodge of England from 1782 to 1790. After him, the Grand Master was King George IV of Great Britain, who held the office from 1790 to 1812. George IV's younger brother and future King William IV was also a Freemason and served as Past Grand Master.

Prince Edward, was born on 9 October 1935 in London to Prince George, Duke of Kent, and Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark. His lineage traces its roots to the leading royal houses of Europe, including the Romanov dynasty. Princess Marina was the granddaughter of Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich Romanov, brother of Alexander II. Prince Edward is also the great-grandson of Vladimir Alexandrovich Romanov, the brother of Emperor Alexander III.

His father, Duke George of Kent (1902-1947) was a Freemason and served as Grand Master from 1939 to 1942. His grandfather, King Edward VII, was also Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England. Prince Edward's father's brothers and future British kings George VI and Edward VIII were Masons. Thus, Prince Edward grew up in a family with very close Masonic ties.

Prince Edward graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1955 and continued his army service until 1976. During this period, Prince Edward served in Hong Kong, Cyprus and Northern Ireland.

Prince Edward was initiated into Freemasonry in 1963 at the age of 28 in «Royal Alpha Lodge» No. 16, one of the oldest and most prestigious lodges in England. In 1967 he became Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, retaining the title to the present day. Prince Edward has been Grand Master for 57 years, the longest period of time in the history of the Grand Lodge of England.

The British monarchy played a crucial role in the development of Freemasonry. The British Isles are the birthplace of modern Freemasonry, and the Grand Lodge of England is actually considered the main governing body in regular Freemasonry around the world.

Throughout his life, Edward sought to modernise Freemasonry by making lodges more open to the public. This was made possible by removing stereotypes about Freemasonry and publicising its charitable work.

Philanthropy is at the heart of Masonic philosophy. It is a way of improving the world around us and practising personal virtue. It is under the leadership of Prince Edward that Masonic lodges openly give millions of pounds to charity.

Among the organisations supported by Prince Edward are the Royal Medical Foundation, the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and the Royal Institution, which is dedicated to research and the popularisation of science.

Since 1975, Prince Edward has been President of the Scout Association - the largest scouting organisation in the world. He is also an active supporter of British veterans and is himself a Field Marshal in the British Army. From 1970 to 2023, Prince Edward was President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which preserves and restores British war memorials.

In the cultural sphere, Prince Edward is an active supporter of classical music and a patron of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Prince Edward was President of the prestigious All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club from 1969 to 2021.

Prince Edward is actively involved in projects supported by the United Grand Lodge of England, including the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which supports health, education and social welfare. His varied interests, avoidance of political activism, peacemaking and philanthropic activities exemplify the Masonic ideals of a well-rounded man with a humanistic and tolerant outlook.

The illustrations from our museum's collection:

• Engraving «Banquet at the Albert Hall» - Prince Edward VII of Wales presents the King of Sweden with the Jubilee Benefactor's Badge during the festival celebrating the centenary of the Royal Masonic Institute for Girls. 16 June 1888, United Kingdom.

• Portrait personally autographed by Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, King Edward VIII of England in 1936.