What happens if the Master Elect cannot attend installation?

When a Master Elect is ready and willing to serve but is unavoidably prevented from attending on the day appointed for the regular installation meeting, the installation is postponed. The ceremony must then take place within five weeks of the original date, either at the next regular meeting if held within that timeframe or at a specially called emergency meeting, according to the regulations of the United Grand Lodge of England.

If the Master Elect is unable to assume the office due to death, disqualification, or incapacity, or if written notice of intention not to accept the office is delivered less than seven days before the regular installation meeting, the installation does not proceed at a later date. Instead, the outgoing Master continues in office until the end of the period for which the Master Elect was elected, as specified by the United Grand Lodge of England.

Whether officers can be invested on the original date depends on the specific reason for the Master Elect's absence.

If the Master Elect is merely unavoidably prevented from attending on the regular installation day, while remaining ready and willing to serve, no officers are invested; the entire procedure is postponed for up to five weeks to a subsequent regular or emergency meeting, according to the regulations of the United Grand Lodge of England.

If, however, the Master Elect dies, becomes disqualified or incapacitated, or submits written notice of intention not to accept office less than seven days prior to the regular installation meeting, the outgoing Master continues in office. In this situation, the outgoing Master does invest the Wardens, Treasurer, Tyler, and other selected or appointed officers at that regular meeting, as set out by the United Grand Lodge of England.