masonic booksmasonic books"...it might interest you to know that my connection with Masonry was almost severed when I became King in 1936, as it was a principle that a ruling monarch should not be a member of a secret society. I referred this matter to the Grand Master and the Lord Chancellor who ruled that while Masonry has its secrets, it is not a secret society. It is one of the most loyal societies that exist."
Duke of Windsor, Edward VIII speaking in 1941 as Governor of the Bahamas
This ruling by a Lord Chancellor may be the source of the saying:
"While Masonry has its secrets it is not a secret society"
The current Lord Chancellor has never expressed the view that freemasonry is a secret society, and he is perfectly prepared to accept that it is not such a society.
Each of the three Kings of England who were Freemasons and who reigned during the 20th century maintained an active association with the Order subsequent to their respective accessions to the throne. King Edward VII, as Prince of Wales, was Grand Master. As King, he followed the precedence established by George IV and became 'Protector' of the Order. On his accession to the throne at the end of 1936 George VI maintained a close and active association with Freemasonry. He was installed as Past Grand Master, and installed the Duke of Kent, the 6th Earl of Harewood and the Duke of Devonshire as Grand Masters.
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