Pretty as a Picture

Another glimpse from the Lord Mayor's parade.

Pomp & Ceremony

Today is the annual Lord Mayor's Parade.  Every year since 1189 a new head of London City's square mile is elected and travels in a golden coach from Mansion House to the Royal Courts of Justice where he swear allegiance to the ruling Monarch. Thousands take part in the procession which will all end with a grand fireworks display over the Thames.

Enjoy.

Pomp and Ceremony

Yesterday the streets of the City of London were taken over by the pomp and ceremony of the annual Lord Mayor's parade. Alderman Roger Gifford became the 685th Lord Mayor of London. His first day included a lot of waving at old military equipment and a spin in a 250 year old gold coach (which broke down on the return journey). 

Behind the Scenes

The annual Lord Mayor's show was held last Saturday. There has been a Mayor of the City of London since 1185 in times when the King had to be wary of his Earls and Barons and probably anyone else in a position of power, including the church, King John granted a charter in 1215 to the people of London allowing them to elect their own mayor each year. In return the Mayor, who later became known as the Lord Mayor was required to make the journey to the city of Westminster and swear allegiance to the sovereign. This journey continues every November.

It's a very grand occasion and the Lord Mayor travels in a gold carriage to the courts to take his oath. The day before the parade I popped along to see how preparations were progressing. As you can see in the image above the gold carriage was being polished and groomed for the occasion.

Enthusiasm

No rain is going to dampen her spirits.

Time Out

Taking a rest from the Parade

Soldier

Continuing with the Lord Mayor's Parade.
A soldier waves to the crowd.

Proud

As promised the next few days will be pictures of the Lord Mayor's Parade.
Here a glimpse of the traditional finery.

Your Carriage Awaits Sir

As promised here is more from the Lord Mayor's parade last weekend.
The newly elected Lord Mayor is swearing his allegiance to the Queen before the Lord Chief Justice before popping back in his carriage back to Mansion House.

The first few hundred years the Lord Mayor would have ridden his horse here. That was until in 1711 Sir Gilbert Heathcote broke his leg. So a coach and horses was hired for the next couple of years, until 1757 when the golden gilded coach you see here was commissioned.

If you missed the parade you can still get to see this beautiful ornate carriage in the Museum of London

The Parade Must Go On

Sunday was the Lord Mayor's Parade. Each year the newly elected Lord Mayor's procession makes its way through the streets of the city to the Royal Courts of Justice, where the new Lord Mayor pledges allegiance to the crown. Only once in 800 years has the parade been cancelled.
Despite the heavy rain and gusting wind it was a spectacular parade. I will bring you more pictures over the next couple of weeks. It really was worth being drenched and cold.