On Sunday, The Duke of Kent, Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge, marked 55 years of being a Freemason.

The Queen’s cousin was initiated into Royal Alpha Lodge, No. 16 on 16 December 1963 at a meeting held at the Café Royal. The then Grand Master, the Earl of Scarbrough, was his proposer and his seconder was Lord Cornwallis, Provincial Grand Master of Kent.

The Duke of Kent has been the Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England for over 50 years.

This means The Queen’s cousin is the most senior Freemason in the hierarchy.

In 2017, the 83-year-old conducted 20 engagements that were connected to Freemasonry according to the Court Circular.

This included attending lunches at Freemasons’ Hall in London as well as holding private audiences with the Pro Grand Master.

Many members of The Royal Family are rumoured to be Freemasons, although the Duke of Kent is only one of two current royals are publicly known to be part of the society.

The Duke’s brother, Prince Michael of Kent, is also a Freemason and is Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons, and Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex.

In the past, five Monarchs have been members of a Masonic lodge.

This includes The Queen’s father, George VI, who was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Scotland between 1936-37.

Edward VII was also Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England from 1874–1901.