The Lord Mayor's Show

Bill writes: Every year, the city of London gets a new Lord Mayor, an office that has existed since 1189. This is not the mayor of London (currently Ken Livingston), but the Lord Mayor of the City of London, the inner square mile of ancient Londinium. For one year, he is the head of the Corporation of London. During that year, he (there's only been one female Lord Mayor) leads an incredibly busy life, presiding over many hundreds of civic and financial and charitable duties in London and overseas. Within the city limits, he holds the second highest office in the nation, above that of the Prime Minister, and second only to the Queen.

David Brewer is the new Lord Mayor, and was sworn in on November 12th. This involves a complex ceremony and includes two parades as he processes in a State Coach that dates from 1757, proceeded by some 150 groups and floats.

To give you an idea of the procession, here are some photos of it. It ranges from military bands, to funky small town floats, to Pearly Kings, to sumptuous carriages. The Lord Mayor is in the final photos in his golden carriage.