One of the best-known annual events in London as well as one of the longest-established, dating back to the 13th century
As guests of the Lady Mayoress and Lord Mayor of the City of London, this November sees us enjoying the wonderful privilege of attending, at Mansion House, the Lord Mayor’s Show, one of London’s most celebrated annual events.
Gog and Magog, the traditional guardians of the City of London, have been carried in the Lord Mayor’s Show since the reign of Henry V.
You can watch the BBC recording of the event on the iPlayer here for 11 months.
The show is a centuries-old tradition that marks the installation of the new Lord Mayor, a ceremonial position that dates back to the 12th century, and on some views to before the Romans…
The view of the parade from Mansion House
The Lord Mayor’s Show is a spectacle of colour, music, and pageantry. The procession through the City of London, features a dazzling array of floats, marching bands, military units, and historical enactment.
The highlight of the show is the grand carriage procession, which includes the Lord Mayor, the Lady Mayoress, and other dignitaries. The atmosphere of this event is electric, and the sense of history and tradition palpable.
It is worth noting that the modern Lord Mayor’s Show has its roots in the Midsummer Watch, a tradition revived by Sir Rowland Hill, a former Lord Mayor of London. The Midsummer Watch was a colourful procession that took place on Midsummer Eve, featuring pageantry, music, and fireworks. Hill’s revival of the Midsummer Watch helped to establish the Lord Mayor’s Show as a beloved London tradition.
A salute to the new Lord Mayor before he enters Mansion House
A privilege to be a part of this historic tradition and to see first-hand the grandeur and pageantry of London’s most iconic event.
