The Royal Arch is an extension of the Third Degree and is considered to be "the summit and perfection of Antient Masonry", and in this case 'perfection' means 'completion' and so the Royal Arch is described as "the completion of the Third Degree".

In the Third Degree we are told that the genuine secrets of a Master Mason were lost by the untimely death of our Master, Hiram Abif, but in the Royal Arch ceremony we are told that those secrets were later discovered and we are told what they are.

The Royal Arch completes the story and in so doing enlarges the Masonic definition of "Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth". The Principles of Craft Masonry are brought into the context of eternity, so that we consider not only our relationship to one another but also our relationship to the Divine Creator - not making Masonry a religion - but providing an important link with our own personal faith.

Very many Freemasons have discovered in the colourful and friendly companionship of their Chapter, a happy and deep relationship with their fellows.

The Royal Arch was, in the 18th Century, usually conferred on candidates in a Craft Lodge, but since the establishment of The Supreme Grand Chapter of England in 1817, it has been conferred in a separate Lodge called a "Chapter", separate from the Craft Lodge but connected to it. The Chapter bears the same name and number as the Craft Lodge to which it is attached, except in the case of a few very old Chapters which have a different name but the same number as the Lodge to which they are attached.

Some Royal Arch Chapters meet only twice a year and most meet less than six times a year and Annual subscriptions are much less than in the Craft.

A Chapter has three Principals who can be compared with the Master and Wardens in the Craft and the members of Chapter are known as Companions. The Royal Arch has a different set of regalia from the Craft and it consists of an apron, a sash and a jewel. The Royal Arch jewel is worn in a Craft Lodge as well as in Chapter and you can recognise a Royal Arch Mason in a Craft Lodge by the jewel he wears.

A Royal Arch Mason who has not become one of the Three Principals of the Chapter wears a jewel with a white ribbon, a Principal or Past Principal wears a scarlet ribbon and a Provincial Officer or Grand Officer wears a three coloured ribbon, light blue, scarlet and dark blue. This is the only jewel, which a Craft Mason is allowed to wear in a Craft Lodge that is not a Craft jewel.