The Lord Mayors show was the Kings idea; King John he came up with a cunning plan to request the Lord Mayor march each year to pledge loyalty to the King (or Queen), this has taken place for every monarch since. William Russell is the current and, 692nd Lord Mayor of London and continues to be in this position over the Covid-19 pandemic.
What is the Lord Mayor’s Show?
Henry fitz Ailwin de Londonstane was appointed the first Mayor of the city of London around 1189 by King John. The King created the post of Mayor through a Royal Charter which allowed the city of London to elect its own Mayor each year. In return for this greater autonomy, the King needed access to finances from the City of London and to be on the side. Like all good deals, there was a catch, the King added the condition that each year the Mayor must march up to Westminster and pledge loyalty to the king. If you ever needed an example of duty and honest delivery of duty, this is it. They have carried out the trip over the last 804 years, with the pledge of loyalty being served to 34 Kings and Queens of England.
Sights and Sounds of the 2019 Lord Mayor’s Show Parade
Cancelled once in 804 years
Pause for a moment to appreciate this annual event ran during the great London Plague, extreme weather, a city ravaged by the effects of the Great Fire of London and 2 world wars. The Show has changed with the times, in wartime it became a recruitment drive to draw more people into the armed services. They canceled the show in November 1853 for the Duke of Wellington’s funeral, which as an event became one of the most spectacular funerals in England, drawing in over one and a half million people along the streets leading up to St Pauls Cathedral.
Where does the Lord Mayor’s Show Begin?
The current version of the route has been in place since 1952, diversions are sometimes necessary on a year-by-year basis, but the route remains unchanged. In 2019 the show started at 11 am from Mansion House, by 12:08 am the last float departs the start, all on the march on the 3-mile journey. The route takes in the Royal Courts of Justice, a blessing at St Pauls Cathedral and an exit of the City of London by the old Temple bar gate. It really is something the British does well, tradition, discipline of the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom.
Lord Mayor’s Show Land Rover
Blackfriars, City of London, Greater London, United Kingdom
Temple, City of London, England, United Kingdom
Royal Courts of Justice, Westminster, Greater London, United Kingdom
Saint Paul's Cathedral, City of London, Greater London, United Kingdom
Mansion House, City of London, Greater London, United Kingdom
Who was in the 2019 Lord Mayor’s Show?
- Band of the Scots Guards
- The London Regiment, Military Band
- Thriplow Village representation, the home of the 2019 Lord Mayor elect William Russell
- Haberdashers’ Adams, a selective state grammar school for day pupils and boarders, in the rural market town of Newport in Shropshire. The school was founded in 1656.
- Knightsbridge School & Place2Be which is the leading national children’s mental health charity
- Durham University
- Romford Drum & Trumpet Corps, Civilian band
- Cambridgeshire
- CCCUK (China Chamber of Commerce in the UK)
- Worshipful Company of Farmers, supported by the NFU and farm machinery manufacturer Massey Ferguson, Red
- Haberdashers’ Aske’s Federation Trust, multi-academy trust of four secondary schools and five primary schools in south east London
- Gog & Magog / Guild of Freemen
- Kingston & Malden Scout & Guide Band, Civilian band
- Girlguiding London and South East London
- CCA Art Bus, designed by Sir Peter Blake, this iconic mobile gallery and double-decker work of art was first launched in May 2009, born from the idea of having a travelling art show designed in the spirit of Rock’n’Rol
- Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools
- Warburtons, grocery store founded in 1870
- Bread Street Ward
- Band of the RAF Regiment, Military band
- Royal Air Force, Military unit
- Royal Auxiliary Air Force, 600 Squadron, Military unit
- Royal Air Force, Military unit
- Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters
- Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls, Elstree
- Lord Mayor’s Appeal Charity Partners
- Air Cadets and Air Cadets Band, London Area
- Automobile Association
- Worshipful Company of Coachmakers & Coach Harness Makers
- Worshipful Company of Mercers
- Modern Livery Companies
- Royal Yeomanry, Military unit
- Band of the Royal Yeomanry, Military band
- 71 Signal Regiment, 68 Signal Squadron, Military unit
- 3 Military Intelligence Battalion
- FANY, Military unit
- 151 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
- 103 Battalion REME
- Army Cadet Force (Middlesex & NW London, SW), Cadets band
- Fortnum & Mason
- Mizuho, financial instituion
- City Bridge Trust
- Blenheim Chalcot
- UK Export Finance / DIT
- Zunft zur Waag and Band
- Worshipful Company of Feltmakers
- United Wards’ Club with Rotary International in GB & Ireland
- Prostate Cancer UK
- Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, London
- Variety, the Children’s Charity
- Medina Marching Band, Civilian band
- G Company, 7th Battalion The Rifles
- B Company 4th Battalion Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment
- B Company 4th Battalion The Parachute Regiment
- 144 Parachute Medical Squadron
- University of London Officer Training Corps
- 1st Claygate Scout & Guide Band, Civilian band
- Worshipful Company of City of London Solicitors, the City of London Solicitors’ CompanyA modern Livery Company representing 16,000 City solicitors
- C S Hodges & Son
- State Bank of India
- The Cook & The Butler Event Company / National Bakery School
- RateSetter
- St Sebastianus Guild Band, civilian band
- Bank of England, The Bank of England is celebrating its 325th Anniversary at the Lord Mayor Show.
- J B Riney & Co
- Metro Bank
- Dogs Trust
- British Red Cross
- Household Troops Band of the Salvation Army, civilian band
- 106 Regiment Royal Artillery, 265 Battery
- 101 (City of London) Engineer Regiment (EOD)
- 135 Geographic Squadron RE
- 256 (City of London) Field Hospital RAMC
- 253 Pro Company Royal Military Police
- London Bugle Band – Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade
- Hyperion Insurance Group
- Fenwick
- Help for Heroes,
- Rwanda High Commission
- London Underground Emergency Response Unit
- Mill Hill School CCF Corps of Drums
- Hampton School CCF
- Worshipful Company of Insurers
- City of London Corporation – Recycling in the City
- Worshipful Company of Paviors
- Goodenough College
- Corps of Drums Society
- Tregothnan
- Welcome to Yorkshire
- Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London
- Arriva London
- City of London Corporation – City Schools
- Band of HM Royal Marines, military band
- Royal Navy
- Royal Naval Reserve (HMS President)
- Royal Marines
- Royal Marines Reserve (City of London)
- 131 Independent Commando Sqn RE
- Sea Cadets and Sea Cadets Band, London Area
- British Airways
- Embassy of Kazakhstan in the UK
- Bart’s Hospital Volunteers
- City, University of London
- St John Ambulance
- Coleraine Fife and Drum Band
- Canary Wharf Group
- Zhejiang UK Association with Walk for Peace Foundation
- Taylors of Harrogate / Yorkshire Tea
- ASDAN
- Eddie Stobart Logistics
- Mansion House Party
- Christ’s Hospital School Band
- King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery
- CLC / G of F / R Soc St G / UWC
- The Great Twelve Carriage
- Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers
- Worshipful Company of World Traders
- Worshipful Company of Haberdashers
- Deputation of the LM & Sheriffs’ Committee
- Chief Commoner, Chamberlain and Commissioner
- City High Officers
- Town Clerk and Aldermen below the Chair
- Aldermen below the Chair
- Aldermen below the Chair
- Aldermen below and past the Chair
- Aldermen past the Chair
- Honourable Artillery Company
- Sheriff (Non-aldermanic)
- Sheriff (Aldermanic)
- Late Lord Mayor
- Lady Mayoress
- Light Cavalry, HAC
- Pageantmaster
- Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment Band
- City Marshal
- The Rt Hon the Lord Mayor
- Company of Pikemen & Musketeers, HAC
- Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment
- Tack and Coach Support Vehicles
- Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment
- 140: King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery
- Support Taxi
- 103 Battalion REME
- and lastly, the City of London Corporation – Cleansing
Military Equipment on show at the Lord Mayor’s Show 2019
