It was with the greatest sadness that the United Grand Lodge of England learned of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, our longest serving British Sovereign.
Queen Elizabeth’s father, His late Majesty King George VI and her consort, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, were both Freemasons. Her cousin, HRH The Duke of Kent, has been Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England since 1967, and will be sending a message of condolence on behalf of all English Freemasons to His Majesty The King. Another of her cousins, HRH Prince Michael of Kent, has been Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales since 1982, and an announcement is being made from Mark Masons’ Hall.
God Save The King.
The Provincial Grand Master for Derbyshire and the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent issued the following statement:
” The Provincial Grand Master Steven Varley and the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent Charles Cunnington express their deepest condolences to the Royal family at this difficult time, especially our Grand Master HRH The Duke of Kent.
The Provincial Grand Master and the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent know that our members will share their sense of deep shock, sorrow and grief.
It is with great sadness that we as Freemasons in Derbyshire must come to terms with the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II, our longest serving Monarch. Her Majesty reigned steadfastly through the years, no matter the challenges and joys we faced as a nation. For most of us she was the only Monarch we have ever known. Her unwavering loyalty, commitment, work ethic and perhaps most importantly her love for the nation was an inspiration to us all.
The loss of our much loved Queen will be felt for many years to come but even as we mourn we should remember to celebrate a life well lived in the service of the Country. “
God Save The King