As its name suggests, Grand Master’s Lodge was formed by the then Grand Master Lord Kingsborough in 1749 into a regular Lodge “to consult the Good of the Craft, and as far as their Power lies, promote the Welfare of the Fraternity in general.”

In its early days, GML had the right to recommend to Grand Lodge who the new Grand Officers should be and up until 1837 every Master Mason raised in GML had a seat and a vote in Grand Lodge ipso facto.

While many unusual privileges and ritual have long since been surrendered, others remain, some of which tend to confuse other Masons.

For example:

• GML’s Past Masters may wear gold PM jewels (otherwise only worn by the GMs, Past GMs, PGMs and Past PGMs)
• GML members are entitled to a salute of 11 when visiting other Lodges
• GML can open and close on any degree without ‘calling up or down’
• GML uniquely does not have a Warrant – it has a Constitution

All the Officers of GML are effectively ‘acting’ for the Grand Master and his senior officers, so that the Master of the Lodge is described – and addressed – as the ‘Right Worshipful Acting Master’ while the senior officers are similarly prefixed.

On the first Thursday of June each year, GML hosts a Luncheon for Masons attending the Grand Lodge meeting that afternoon. This is preceded by a short Communication of GML at which the Grand Master assumes his rightful place in the Lodge, assisted by his Acting Master.