The Lord Mayor’s Show parade is an annual celebration that pays homage to the new Lord Mayor.  Peter Estlin formally took over the reins from Charles Bowman on 9th November, making him the 691st Lord Mayor.  The procession on the 10th marked an 800-year-old tradition.

The Lord Mayor of the City of London acts as a spokesperson for the City leading overseas business delegations to key international markets on behalf of the UK’s financial and professional services industry.

The Mayor meets government representatives from around the world, alongside business leaders and policy makers at home and abroad.  He/she also works to identify new business opportunities and reassure them that the UK is a good destination for foreign investment.  This tradition dates back to the 16th century, when King John was persuaded to let the City of London elect its own Mayor on the condition that the new Mayor must travel from the City to Westminster to swear loyalty to the Crown.

This year’s parade involved around 7,000 people, 200 horses and around 150 floats including carriages and marching bands.

The photograph taken prior to start of the parade is the Worshipful Company of Launderers represented by the Master Forbes MacDougall, Deputy Master David Pantlin, Senior Warden Jack Strachan, and Renter Warden Ken Cupitt.