Rose Croix Essays

HRH The Duke of Kent has been at the heart of the British Royal Family throughout his life. As a working member of the Royal Family, he has supported his cousin, The Queen, representing her at home and abroad. His royal duties began when, in 1952, at the age of sixteen, he walked in the procession behind King George VI's coffin, later paying homage to The Queen at her Coronation in 1953. Since then, he has witnessed and participated in key Royal occasions. He represented The Queen at independence ceremonies from the age of twenty-five, he was riding with her when blanks were fired at Trooping the Colour in 1981, he was the oldest soldier on parade at Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph in November 2020 and he was alongside The Queen at her official birthday celebrations in June 2021 as Colonel of the Scots Guards. No member of the Royal Family has spoken extensively of the modern reign and their part in it before. A Royal Life is a unique account based on a series of conversations between the Duke and acclaimed Royal historian Hugo Vickers. It covers some of the most important moments and experiences of the Duke's life, from his upbringing at his family home Coppins in Buckinghamshire, his twenty-one years of army life, his royal tours and events, through to his work for over 140 different organisations, including presenting the trophies at Wimbledon for more than 50 years. Here too are recollections of family members including his mother, Princess Marina, his grandmother, Queen Mary, his cousin, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, and his uncle, King George VI. The Duke is a keen photographer and the book contains never before seen photographs from his private collection. Other members of the Royal Family contribute their memories, including his wife, the Duchess of Kent, the Duke's siblings, Princess Alexandra and Prince Michael of Kent, his son, the Earl of St Andrews, his daughter, Lady Helen Taylor as well as his cousins, Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia, Archduchess Helen of Austria and her brother, Hans Veit Toerring. A Royal Life is an unprecedented, insightful and remarkable slice of Royal history.

Given by the Emulation Lodge of Improvement as an award for the performance of word perfect ceremony from the Chair without standing in need of prompting or correction. After countless hours of training, the silver matchbox commemorates a feat requiring perfect memory, exemplary performance and ritual ability. Often viewed as a Gold Medal or Black Belt in Freemasonry, the silver matchbox is considered by many to be the mark of highest ability in the Craft. In order to achieve full mark of excellence termed as a complete record he must work the ceremonies Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, Master Mason and the Installation without any mistakes in either words or action. Written by Tony Henley, himself a Silver Matchbox holder (with a complete record too!), this book is a fascinating guide to Masonry, ritual and memory. Highlights include: The origins and evolution of the Emulation Ritual The history of the Silver Matchbox Award Discover the Holders of the award past and present Matchbox Methods - memory techniques, rehearsal methods and performance advice Information on the ritual awards in the Mark, Royal Arch and Royal Ark Mariners Filled with interesting facts, figures, trivia and oddities. Hardback Beautifully Hand Embossed