MASONIC GRAND LODGE

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22768, 21 July 1939, Page 11

MASONIC GRAND LODGE

INSTALLATION OF DUKE OF KENT KING PERFORMS IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY ' i LONDON. July 19. There was a memorable and impressive scene at Olympia on the Occasion of the installation of the Duke of Kent as Grand Master of the United Grand . Lodge of England, in succession to his great-uncle, the Duke of Connaught, who occuoied the position from 1901 to 1938. The King, who installed the Duke of Kent, gave a perfect rendering of the dignified ceremony, which was witnessed by 10,000 brethren from all parts of the world and the United Kingdom. Applications for admittance were thrice in excess of the seats available, necessitating a ballot. , The Duke of Kent was-previously installed as the head of the Royal Arch and Mark degrees. . The Earl of Harewood, for the Grand Master, received deputations from overseas, including New Zealand, Australia. Canada. Scandinavia, the Netherlands, and the United States. . , r(a The King, heralded by a fantare of trumpets and wearing Masonic regalia, received a great ovation as he slowly made the procession to the dais. The Duke of Kent was similarly welcomed. The King, speaking from the Grand Master’s throne, said: Except for a period of 30 years, a member of our House has occupied the Grand Master’s throne for more than a century and a half, during which English Freemasonry has prospered remarkably. It will be no easy task for any Mason to follow in the footsteps of Edward VII and the Duke of Connaught, but I have every confidence that you will succeed in the office to which you are elected.” While the Duke of Kent knelt before him, the King administered the historic Grand Master’s obligation.. Then the Duke, invested with the regalia of office, took his seat on the throne. ~ . After this followed addresses from representatives of foreign, overseas, and Empire countries. Lord BledisIce. Sir Stephen Allen,' and Mr J. tt t represented New Zealand.