FRÀ FREDRIK Crichton-Stuart has been sworn in as Grand Prior of England by his immediate predecessor, Frà Matthew Festing, who left the position to become Prince & Grand Master of the Order of Malta. Born Frederick John Patrick Crichton-Stuart, “Frà Freddy” (as he is more commonly known) is the son of Lord Rhidian Crichton-Stuart (son of the 4th Marquess of Bute) and Selina Gerth van Wijk (daughter of an ambassador of the Netherlands to France). Frà Freddy was educated by the Benedictines at Ampleforth and was awarded the Territorial Decoration during his service in the Army. The late beloved Frà Andrew Bertie, the recently deceased Prince & Grand Master, was Frà Freddy’s cousin.

The installation took place at the Grand Priory’s ecclesiastical seat, the Church of St. John of Jerusalem, St. John’s Wood, London. His Most Eminent Highness Frà Matthew Festing, the Prince & Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, was present, and the Mass was offered by Msgr. Antony Conlon, Principal Chaplain of the Grand Priory.

Frà Freddy is the fifty-sixth Grand Prior of England, in succession to Frà Walter, who was appointed as the first prior in 1144. He is only the second (after Frà Matthew Festing) since the Grand Priory was re-instituted after a 450-year abeyance. Frà Freddy was briefly President of the International Federation ‘Una Voce’ (FIUV), and is well-known as a defender of Catholic tradition.

Mr. Vernon Quaintance was present at the installation and provides these photos. His site can be accessed at http://www.traditionalcatholic.org.uk/.