| Main Performers | HRH The Duke of Kent (Most Worshipful Grand Master),
Peter Lowndes (Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master),
Deputy Grand Master Jonathan Spence (Deputy Grand Master),
Brigadier Willie Shackell (Grand Secretary),
The Rev. Canon Michael Wilson (Grand Chaplain) - speakers
Company of Actors:
Sir Derek Jacobi,
Samantha Bond,
Sanjeev Bhaskar OBE,
Fleur de Bray,
Jihoon Kim,
Richard Suart,
Clive Rowe,
Cat Simmons,
Laura Darton,
Amelia Adams-Pearce,
Stephen Aintree,
Christopher Hunter,
Natey Jones,
Tim Samuels,
Chris Villiers,
Marcus Ayton,
Tom Bales,
Kellianna Jay,
Stefania Ricci,
Lukin Simonds,
Alex Wheeler |
| Orchestra or Band | Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra |
| Set List | Grand Lodge Opened and Called Off (non-auditorium),
Procession of Metropolitan, Provincial and District Grand Masters, Grand Inspectors and other Grand Officers,
Entry of the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Bro HRH The Duke of Kent in the Queenss Box,
A Theatrical and Musical Celebration of 300 years of Organised Freeemsonary - 'Bringing Light to the World' (Sir Derek Jacobi, Samantha Bond, Sanjeev Bhaskar),
Procession of the Grand Master to the stage,
Seating of Rulers on thrones,
Prayer (Grand Chaplain),
Loyal Address to and Letter from Her Majesty the Queen (Deputy Grand Master),
'Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah',
Presentation to The Grand Master of the Great Lights and the Wren Maul (Three Deputy Masters),
Return and Dedication of the Soane Ark the Ark of the Masonic Covenant,
Address to the Most Worshipful Grand Master (Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master),
Address (Most Worshipful Grand Master),
'Jeruslaem', H Parry,
'God Save the Queen' (The National Anthem),
Procession of Grand Officers,
Grand Lodge Called On and Closed (non-auditorium) |
| Royal Presence | HRH The Duke of Kent,
HRH Prince Michael of Kent,
HRM Otumfuo Osei Tutu II (Kingdom of Ashati, Ghana) |
| Performance Notes | This tercentary gala event was the culmination of the many varied events taking place throughout the Provinces and Districts during 2017 to commemorate 300 years since four London Lodges met to establish the world's first Grand Lodge for freemasons. Today there are over 6.5 million freemasons worldwide. Throughout 2017 the United Grand Lodge of England celebrated the historic occassion with a televsion documentary, car rallies, church services, fund-raisers and family fun days. The high point came at this event at which 4,500 masons and their partners gathered at the Hall. Afterwards 2,500 were invited to attend a dinner at Battersea Park and 200 people later went to the Freemasons Headquarters on Great Queen Street, Covent Garden.
The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra provided the musical accompaniment against the backdrop of a colossal 55ft gold Square and Compasses and dramatic light show incorporating the All Seeing Eye
The Deputy Grand Master announced that following 30 years in the making, a replica had been made to the original Soane Ark the Ark of the Masonic Covenant. This was brought onstage where it was dedicated by the Grand Master.
The following letter from Her Majesty the Queen's Private Secretary's Office was read by the Deputy Grand Master:
"Dear Mr Spence,
The Queen has asked me to thank you for your kind letter of loyal greetings on behalf of the Representatives of the Freemasons under the United Grand Lodge of England, on the occasion of the Three-Hundredth Anniversary of the foundation of the premier Grand Lodge and the Fiftieth Anniversary of the installation of The Duke of Kent as your Grand Master, which are being celebrated on 31st October at the Royal Albert Hall.
Her Majesty appreciated your thoughtfulness in writing as you did and, in return, has asked me to send her warm good wishes to you all for a most successful event.
Yours sincerely,
David Ryan, Director, Private Secretarys Office"
Guests included RW Bro HE John Kufuor, Senior Grand Warden (former Ghanian President), Pro Grand Master MW Bro Peter Lowndes, and Assistant Grand Master RW Bro Sir David Wootton.
The event was filmed and live-streamed online. |
| Related Archival Material | Programme and Souvenir Brochure (RAHE/1/2017/141A) |