Friday 16 November 2018

The Lord Mayor's Show

 It was the 803rd Lord Mayor's Show. The world's oldest civil parade. Each year the Aldermen of the City of London elect the Lord Mayor. This is an apolitical appointment  and has nothing to do with the Mayor of London who is elected for four years by the residents of London and is very much a political appointment. Once the Lord Mayor has been elected he has to take part in a procession and declare his loyalty to the Queen hence the annual Lord Mayor's Show.
In the streets surrounding Mansion House, where the procession begins, there was much preparation as well as opportunities for a cup of tea.


















This horse had to be manoeuvered back into position.






These are from the Company of Pikemen and Muskateers which is a ceremonial unit of the Honourable Artillery Company. They are dressed and equipped as they would have been in 1640s. The company provides a ceremonial bodyguard for the Lord Mayor of the City of London.













Hope someone retrieves their instruments before the parade begins.

There were lots of marching bands.





In perfect step








There were lots of other floats and groups. This one was from the Bank of England, taking the gold ingots out for a walk.








This is a Swiss company and I have no idea why they are dressed in this way.














































Leading the Mayor's Coach.












It was a fun parade with lots of interaction with the crowd. The weather was very kind and it remained dry and warm for a mid November day.

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15 comments:

  1. Author R. Mac Wheeler16 November 2018 at 13:17

    What fun and pageantry

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  2. DJan16 November 2018 at 13:25

    Wow, you Brits sure know how to do a parade! Love the funny dog in the middle of the pictures. :-)

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  3. Arkansas Patti16 November 2018 at 16:04

    Curious if the Lord Mayor has any other functions besides being the reason for a grand parade?

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  4. William Kendall16 November 2018 at 16:21

    Quite a parade, and quite a mix of uniforms!

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  5. Cloudia16 November 2018 at 18:22

    Marvelous historic LONDON!

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  6. biebkriebels16 November 2018 at 18:34

    Wow that is a great parade, never knew you had two mayors ! :)

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  7. Anonymous16 November 2018 at 19:43

    There are so many great floats as well as the more formal marchers. I bet the puppy dog went down a treat.

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  8. krishna17 November 2018 at 03:33

    That's a gorgeous. I'm sure you had a fun time.

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  9. Janey and Co.18 November 2018 at 11:14

    Wow! What a show! Got a kick out of taking the gold out for a walk!

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  10. Carol @Comfort Spring Station19 November 2018 at 19:53

    Now that is the definition of pomp and circumstance! Lovely show

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  11. Cynthia19 November 2018 at 21:25

    Wow, what a colorful parade! I bet the music was fine, too. I saw the lord mayor's carriage when I was at the Museum of London and thought how beautiful it would be pulled along the street by some fancy horses.

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  12. carol l mckenna19 November 2018 at 22:14

    Fascinating photos of a lovely parade ~ such variety and photographed so well!

    Happy Day to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  13. Terra 20 November 2018 at 03:23

    I would like to see that parade in person; I like historic events, costumes, and the horses are always a plus for me. Thanks for sharing your photos.

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  14. colleen26 November 2018 at 21:30

    Fantastic! I have never been to a British parade before.

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  15. Sallie (FullTime-Life)2 December 2018 at 01:29

    Oh how I’d love to see that!

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