One measure of just how high up the masons’ influence goes is the number of kings that have been masons. Many modern day British kings appear on the list – from William IV, predeccessor to Queen Victoria, to George VI, father of the present Queen. George ascended to the throne after the abdication of his brother Edward. One of the most controversial monarchs of the last few centuries, Edward VIII reigned for just a few months in 1936 before abdicating in order to marry divorcee Mrs Wallis Simpson. His struggle to gain confidence and overcome his stutter was well-documented in the film “The King’s Speech”, but it is less well known that he credits freemasonry with helping him do it. His speech therapist Lionel Logue was a masonic Master and worked with the Royal Masonic School. George himself was also very involved, and was reluctant to give up his masonic offices upon his ascent to the throne, as his brother had. Instead, a new position was created for him – Past Grand Master. A few years later, after the war, he wrote “Freemasonry has been one of the strongest influences on my life”. A powerful force indeed…