The Royal Arch is an Order in Freemasonry with very close links to the Craft. It is often referred to as the completion of the journey in “pure Antient Masonry.” This relationship was defined by the 1813 Act of Union which created the United Grand Lodge of England. Since then, the Craft and Royal Arch have been thought of as two sides of the same coin – on one side the three degrees of Craft Freemasonry, and on the other the Royal Arch.

It is often said that Freemasonry consists of four elements the first three being the three degrees in Craft Masonry with the Royal Arch being the fourth.

So special is this relationship that, uniquely, the Royal Arch’s breast jewel may also be worn with Craft regalia.

Both Orders are headed by HRH The Duke of Kent, who is Grand Master of the Craft and the First Grand Principal of the Royal Arch, and both are governed from Freemasons’ Hall, in London. In many Provinces, the Provincial Grand Master and the Grand Superintendent are the same person.