Lord Mayor of London facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This page is about the mayor of the City of London. For the directly elected mayor of Greater London, see Mayor of London.

Quick facts for kids Lord Mayor of London
Arms of the City of London
Incumbent Alastair King since 8 November 2024
Style	My Lord Mayor The Right Honourable
Residence	Mansion House, EC4
Appointer	Electors: Aldermen
Term length	One year
Inaugural holder	Sir Henry FitzAlan
Formation	1189
Salary	None (pro bono)

The Lord Mayor of London is a very old and important job in the City of London, England. This person is like the mayor and leader of the City of London Corporation. The City of London is a small, historic part of London, different from the much larger area called Greater London.

The Lord Mayor is a special leader. Only the King or Queen has higher importance within the City. The Lord Mayor has many traditional powers and is called The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London.

This job is one of the oldest elected positions in the world. It is completely separate from the Mayor of London, who is elected by people across all of Greater London. The current Lord Mayor is Alastair King, who became the 696th Lord Mayor in November 2024.

In 2006, the City of London Corporation changed its name. Because of this, the title Lord Mayor of the City of London was sometimes used. This helped avoid confusion with the Mayor of London. However, the official and most common title is still Lord Mayor of London.

The Lord Mayor is chosen each year at a meeting called Common Hall. They officially start their job in November at a special event called The Silent Ceremony. The day after, the famous Lord Mayor's Show takes place. During this show, the Lord Mayor travels in a parade to the Royal Courts of Justice. There, they promise loyalty to the King or Queen.

Today, the Lord Mayor's main job is to represent and promote businesses and people in the City of London. Many of these are financial businesses. The Lord Mayor is seen as a champion for the UK's financial industry. They also have important ceremonial and social duties. The Lord Mayor is not linked to any political party. They give many speeches and attend events in London and other countries. The Lord Mayor is also the head of City University of London and the Port of London Authority.

The Lord Mayor gets help from a team at Mansion House. This team includes the City Marshal, Sword Bearer, and Common Crier. They also have a Chaplain and six Cadet Aides de Camp. These aides represent youth organizations connected to the City's Cadet Forces.

Titles and Special Names
History of the Role
How the Lord Mayor is Chosen
The Lord Mayor's Show
What the Lord Mayor Does
Special Rights and Privileges
Official Clothing
- Robes
Images for kids
See also

Titles and Special Names

Sir William McArthur, a past Lord Mayor, in a caricature from 1881.

The United Kingdom has 69 cities, and about 30 of them have a Lord Mayor. In Scotland, they are called Lords Provost. The Lord Mayor of London has the special title "The Right Honourable". Only a few other Lord Mayors, like those in York, Cardiff, Bristol, and Belfast, share this privilege. The Lord Provosts of Edinburgh and Glasgow also have it.

This special title is used for the job itself, not the person holding it. So, "The Rt Hon Lord Mayor of London" is correct. But "The Rt Hon Alastair King" is not correct.

If a woman holds the office, she is also called a Lord Mayor. The wife of a male Lord Mayor is called Lady Mayoress. However, there is no special title for the husband of a female Lord Mayor. A female Lord Mayor, or a male Lord Mayor who is not married, can choose a female companion to be the Lady Mayoress. When speaking to a Lord Mayor, you would say "My Lord Mayor." For a Lady Mayoress, you would say "My Lady Mayoress."

In the past, Lord Mayors often received special honours. They were usually made knights when they started their term. They might even become baronets after they finished. This tradition changed over time. Since 1993, Lord Mayors have usually been made knights bachelor after their term ends. Sometimes, foreign leaders visiting London also give honours to the Lord Mayor. For example, in 2001, King Abdullah II of Jordan gave Sir David Howard a high honour from his country.

History of the Role

Stained glass in Guildhall, London, showing Henry fitz Ailwin, the first Mayor.

In 1747, the Lord Mayor traveled by barge on the River Thames for the Lord Mayor's Show.

The job of Mayor started in 1189. The first person to hold it was Henry Fitz-Ailwin de Londonestone. Since 1215, the Mayor of the City of London has been chosen by the City itself. This was decided by a royal charter from King John. The title "Lord Mayor" began to be used after 1354. King Edward III granted this title to Thomas Legge.

Lord Mayors are elected for one-year terms. They usually serve only one term. However, some people have served multiple terms. For example, Sir Henry FitzAlan was Mayor for 24 terms! Sir Richard ('Dick') Whittington was Lord Mayor four times.

Almost 700 people have served as Lord Mayor over the centuries. Dame Mary Donaldson in 1983 and Dame Fiona Woolf in 2013 are the only women who have held this important office.

How the Lord Mayor is Chosen

The Lord Mayor is elected at a meeting called Common Hall. This meeting includes liverymen from all the City's livery companies. Common Hall takes place at Guildhall on Michaelmas Day (September 29th) or the closest weekday. People vote by raising their hands. If anyone asks for it, a secret ballot is held two weeks later.

To become Lord Mayor, a person must have served as a City sheriff and be a current alderman. Since 1385, it has been required to have been a sheriff first. Two sheriffs are chosen each year by Common Hall in June. Aldermen are elected by people in the City's 25 wards.

The Lord Mayor is sworn into office each November. This happens the day before the Lord Mayor's Show. The ceremony is called the "Silent Ceremony" because there are no speeches. At Guildhall, the outgoing Lord Mayor passes the special symbols of the office to the new Lord Mayor. These include the seal, the purse, the sword, and the mace.

The Lord Mayor's Show

The Doggett's Coat & Badgemen, State Coach, and Pikemen and Musketeers waiting for the Lord Mayor in 2011.

The day after being sworn in, the Lord Mayor leads a grand parade. This procession goes from the City of London to the Royal Courts of Justice. There, the Lord Mayor promises loyalty to the King or Queen. This parade is one of London's oldest and most popular yearly events. It is known as the "Lord Mayor's Show".

The Lord Mayor travels in a special state coach. This coach was built in 1757. Today, this festival mixes traditional British pageantry with a carnival feel. Since 1959, it has been held on the second Saturday in November. Many groups take part, including livery companies, bands, military members, charities, and schools. In the evening, there is a fireworks display.

What the Lord Mayor Does

Lord Mayor David Wootton leaving the Royal Courts of Justice after the 2011 Lord Mayor's Show.

The Lord Mayor is a member of the City of London's government, the City of London Corporation. This Corporation includes the Court of Aldermen and the Court of Common Council. The Lord Mayor leads both of these groups.

The main job of the Lord Mayor is to represent and support the UK's financial industries. This includes hosting important visitors from other countries. They also make visits overseas to promote British business.

A Paddington Bear statue themed as the Lord Mayor in 2014. It was auctioned to help the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).

The Lord Mayor hosts special dinners where important government figures give speeches. For example, the Prime Minister gives a main speech at the Lord Mayor's Banquet. The Chancellor of the Exchequer gives a speech at the Bankers' Dinner in June. This speech is called the "Mansion House Speech" because it happens at the Lord Mayor's home. The Foreign Secretary also speaks at the Easter Banquet.

The Lord Mayor also takes part in big national events. For instance, in 2013, the Lord Mayor carried a special sword at Margaret Thatcher's funeral.

The Lord Mayor has many other roles. They are the chief judge of the City of London. They are also the head of the Port of London. They are the head of City, University of London and president of Gresham College. The Lord Mayor also leads the City's Commission of Lieutenancy. This group represents the King or Queen in the City of London.

Special Rights and Privileges

The Lord Mayor's Collar of Esses, also used by Lord Chancellor Sir Thomas More.

The official home of the Lord Mayor is called the Mansion House. It was first used by a Lord Mayor in 1752. The Lord Mayor's official car is a Rolls-Royce Phantom VI.

In the courtrooms of the Old Bailey, the Lord Mayor has a special seat. This is because they are the chief judge of the City of London. The main judge sits to one side.

There is a story that the Lord Mayor can stop the King or Queen from entering the City of London. This is not true. When the King or Queen enters the City at Temple Bar, the Lord Mayor presents a special sword. This is a symbol that the King or Queen is the ultimate ruler. The monarch does not need permission to enter. This ceremony simply shows respect and loyalty.

The importance of the Lord Mayor's job is also seen in the Accession Council. This group announces when a new King or Queen takes the throne. The Lord Mayor and aldermen of London are part of this council.

Official Clothing

On formal occasions, the Lord Mayor wears traditional black velvet court dress. This includes a coat, waistcoat, and knee breeches with special buttons. They also wear black silk stockings and shiny court shoes. This clothing is worn by all Lord Mayors, whether they are male or female.

When outdoors, the Lord Mayor wears a black tricorne hat. This hat is decorated with black ostrich feathers. It is traditionally made by Patey's.

Sir Rowland Hill, a past Lord Mayor, wearing his chain of office in 1549.

Since 1545, the Lord Mayor has worn a special Royal Livery Collar of Esses. This collar has 28 'S' shapes, Tudor roses, and knots from the Garter. A special Mayoral Jewel hangs from it. The collar is worn over the Lord Mayor's other clothing.

Robes

Lord Mayor Arthur wearing the state robe over court dress.

As an alderman of the City of London, the Lord Mayor has a scarlet gown and a violet gown. These are similar to those worn by other aldermen, but they are longer. The violet robe is worn at most formal meetings. The scarlet robe is worn on certain special days.

For state occasions when the King or Queen is present, the Lord Mayor wears a crimson velvet robe. This robe is trimmed with ermine fur. It looks similar to a royal earl's coronation robe.

On other ceremonial occasions, a black silk robe with gold lace is worn. This is called the Entertaining Gown.

At coronations, the Lord Mayor wears a special coronation robe. This robe is made of scarlet wool with gold lace and ermine. They also carry the Crystal Sceptre. After the coronation, the Lord Mayor can keep this robe.

A plain black gown is worn by the Lord Mayor during times of national mourning.

Images for kids

The Lord Mayor wearing the coronation robe and carrying the Crystal Sceptre at George IV's coronation.
The scarlet robe, with train.
The Entertaining Robe.
Lord Mayor Russell's personal arms.
Lord Mayor Mainelli's personal arms.