It is a quintessentially British affair, the Lord Mayor’s Show – long on tradition and pageantry, proudly trumpeted as the world’s ‘the least-rehearsed civic procession’, and guaranteed to bring the streets of central London grinding to a pomp-and-circumstance halt.
This year’s edition was no exception, with thousands converging on the capital to witness the inauguration of the City’s new Lord Mayor, Alistair King, a 56-year-old financier and asset manager from Cambridge.
The annual show dates back to 1215, when King John, having allowed the City of London to appoint its own mayor in the forlorn hope of garnering support for his troubled reign, decreed that each new holder of the position should travel to Westminster and swear an oath of loyalty.
Following in the footsteps of his 695 predecessors, King donned the traditional red robes and black feathered hat before boarding the golden state carriage first used in 1757 for the procession from Mansion House, the Lord Mayor’s official residence, to the Royal Courts of Justice in the Strand.
‘There are some peculiarities to the role, but it just differentiates it,’ said King, who sees the event as a bridge between London’s past and present. ‘It sticks it in people's minds.’
This year’s parade, which offered frequent nods to King’s Scottish ancestry, involved some 7,000 participants – military pipers, marching bands, wicker giants and even robotic dogs – as well as 250 horses and more than 100 floats.
The City of London’s new Lord Mayor, Alistair King, doffs his black feathered cap to members of the public who lined the streets for the historic procession
Pigs might fly: Members of the Worshipful Company of Paviors, a livery company with medieval roots, take part in the Lord Mayor's Show
The parade featured countless vibrant flourishes, including this performer in a multi-coloured, peacock-like costume
Members of the British Armed Forces brought colour and ceremony to the occasion
A group of Chinese dancers in vibrant green and gold costumes twirl dragon ribbons
King, a 56-year-old financier and asset manager from Cambridge, leans from the golden state carriage that was first used in 1757
King is proud of his Scottish heritage and there was plenty of tartan and bagpipes
From the timing of the procession to its personnel there was, as always, a strong military flavour to the show
Military drummers wearing poppies are seen performing as they make their way from Mansion House, where the procession begins, towards the Royal Courts of Justice
The annual show dates back to 1215, when King John decreed that each new Mayor of the Square Mile should travel to Westminster and swear an oath of loyalty
The wonderful array of performers at the Lord Mayor's Show brought colour and skill to the occasion, which began 808 years ago
Thousands converged on the capital to participate in the revelry, some even spraying confetti to add to the celebratory atmosphere
There was no shortage of pomp and circumstance at the world's most historic civic procession
‘There are some peculiarities to the role, but it just differentiates it,’ said King, who sees the event as a bridge between London’s past and present
The gleaming golden state carriage makes its way past St Paul's Cathedral towards the Strand
The Architects' Company, a modern livery company that celebrates the global architectural profession, has long been a fixture at the Lord Mayor's Show and was once again present
An artist showcases his skill near Mansion House, the starting point for the procession
Dancers are seen adding another touch of flamboyance and animation to the parade
No one could resist sharing a smile, such was the joyous nature of the occasion
King said the sense of tradition surrounding Lord Mayor's Show 'sticks it in people's minds’
Many of those involved in the pageantry were understandably eager to capture their contribution for the family album
The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress receive a blessing on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral
On a chilly afternoon in London, overcoats and top hats were the order of the day