News from the Grand Priory of England

DIARY DATES 2025-2027
To enable members of the Order to plan ahead efficiently, the Grand Priory of England has fixed dates for investitureswhich are the Saturday immediately after 24th May in each year, being the anniversary of Hugues de Payen, our first Grand Master, and the Saturday immediately after 13th October in each year, which is Templar Remembrance Day commemorating the day when hundreds of Knights Templars across France were simultaneously arrested on the orders of King Philip of France, which saw the Order disbanded for over 400-years.
Saturday 18th October 2025 AUTUMN INVESTITURE St. Peter’s Church, Whitstable, Kent.
Saturday 17th October 2026 AUTUMN INTERNATIONAL INVESTITURE Christchurch Priory, Christchurch, Dorset.
Saturday 30th May 2026 SPRING INVESTITURE All Saints, Thorpe Malsor, nr Kettering
Saturday 29th May 2027 SPRING INVESTITURE Venue to be announced
Saturday 16th October 2027 AUTUMN INVESTITURE Venue to be announced
Knightly News The latest edition of Knightly News can be downloaded by clicking the image.
© OSMTH England 2025
OSMTH and the Grand Priory of England is a chivalric non-denominational Christian organisation whose objects are the Christian values of Faith, Hope, and Charity. We are not a political organisation, are not associated with any political organisation and have no political aims or ambitions. We emphatically denounce all those who seek to besmirch the honourable reputation of the Knights Templar for any political, subversive or unlawful activity.
Saturday 27th May 2028 SPRING INVESTITURE Venue to be announced
We are saddened to announce the passing of Sir Robert Worcester, KBE, KGOTJ, aged 91, on Friday 5 th September. 2025. Sir Robert's legacy is one of profound impact and heartfelt dedication. His pioneering work in survey and public opinion research, most notably through founding MORI, has left an indelible mark on the field. In 2005, his exceptional contributions were rightfully recognised when he was appointed Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE), honouring his outstanding services to political, social, and economic research as well as his influence on government policy. Beyond building MORI into a leading independent research firm before its acquisition by Ipsos, Sir Robert devoted himself to numerous national and international organisations that championed Anglo-American relations, democracy, and the rule of law. His passion for promoting the history and significance of Magna Carta was particularly dear to him. As chair of the Magna Carta 2015 800 th Anniversary Commemoration Committee, he took immense pride in celebrating what he considered "England’s greatest export." It was at the 800 th Anniversary Commemoration at Runnymede that Sir Robert joined the Knights Templar, recognising the importance of the Templars in brokering the peace between the Crown and the Baron’s that led to Magna Carta’s existence. The Grand Prior of the Knights Templar is mentioned in Magna Carta “"fratris Aymerici magistri milicie Templi in Anglia" Brother Aymeric, Master of the Knights of the Temple in England, as was another Templar, "Willelmi Mariscalli comitis Penbrocie"-the Earl of Pembrokeshire, William Marshall-a true Templar at heart. Many of our members will fondly recall the wonderful investitures we experienced at his family home, Allington Castle near Maidstone, Kent, and the warm hospitality extended by Sir Robert and the late Lady Margaret. After Lady Margaret's passing in 2020, Sir Robert's health sadly declined, and earlier this month, he peacefully reunited with her in heaven. Sir Robert, who served as Grand Seneschal of the Grand Priory and was honoured as a Companion of Honour in 2021, holds a special place in our hearts. In recent years, his involvement with the Grand Priory may have waned, yet we fondly remember his boundless enthusiasm and warmth, coupled with his distinctive sense of humour. His presence brought joy to many and will be dearly missed. Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Et resurgat in gloria. Amen.
Obituary - Sir Robert Worcester, KBE, KGOTJ