On May 27, 2024, at the 143rd Annual United Supreme Council Session, held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Illustrious James D. Cole, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander, Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A., Mother Council of the World, bestowed the Honorary Knights Commander of the Court of Honour (K.C.C.H.) upon S.G.I.G. Dr. Melvin J. Bazemore, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander.  This investiture was done in token of friendship and brotherly love.  This investiture also served to strengthen the Masonic bond between the two organizations, as the honor is now bestowed by three of the four recognized Supreme Councils.  Furthermore, Illustrious Cole gave authorization to the United Supreme Council, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation, Northern Jurisdiction, United States of America, Incorporated to begin utilizing a version of the K.C.C.H. to suitably recognize Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret, 32°.

The Knight Commander Court of Honour is one of the highest individual honors that the United Supreme Council, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation, Northern Jurisdiction, United States of America, Incorporated, can bestow.  The honor is a symbol of excellence and achievement within the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.  The Knight Commander of the Court of Honour is not a degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite; It is ceremonial in nature and an Investiture of Designation and Dignity.  It is intended to recognize those who have distinguished themselves through exemplary service to the Rite.

The Rank and dignity of Knight Commander Court of Honour is given to Scottish Rite Masons who have contributed extraordinary service to Scottish Rite Masonry or to the world at large.  Candidates for this honor must have contributed some type of meritorious service to the organization or in his community or in a civic capacity.  Favorable nominees for the K.C.C.H. will have engaged in some action whose sole purpose is to provide service while enhancing the Scottish Rite experience.

The United Supreme Council, A.A.S.R. of Freemasonry, P.H.A., N.J., U.S.A., Inc. will be conducting the first Investiture of the K.C.C.H. upon Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret, who have been nominated and elected to receive the Investiture, at our 144th Annual and 48th Triennial Session in Philadelphia, PA in May 2025.  Future Investitures will be conducted at subsequent Triennial Sessions.

The distinctive regalia of a Knights Commander of the Court of Honour is the red cap.  Made of rich fabric, the cap is red with a dark red band trimmed in gold.  It has a gold cord which extends across the top.  In the center front is a representation of the Knight Commander jewel, a Passion Cross with fancy arms, featuring in the center a trefoil embroidered in a green encircled by “Kt. Commander Court of Honour” embroidered in gold.