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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Pa Reporter and Bill McLoughlin

In Pictures: Pomp and pageantry of the Lord Mayor’s Show

Thousands of people gathered in the City of London to watch the Lord Mayor’s Show, a parade dating back more than 800 years.

Alderman Nicholas Lyons marked his election as the 694th Lord Mayor of London with the traditional first official engagement of his one-year term.

On Saturday, 133 floats took about an hour-and-a-quarter to pass a single point as part of the route from Mansion House via Cheapside and St Paul's Cathedral, before arriving at the Royal Courts of Justice.

People participate in Lord Mayor’s Show parade (Getty Images)
Marines participate in Lord Mayor’s Show (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

The Lord Mayor’s Show dates to the 13th century with the procession led by the bands of the Scots and Welsh Guards to St Paul’s Cathedral where the new Lord Mayor was blessed.

Many of the City’s traditional livery companies – trade associations based on medieval worker guilds – took part.

(Getty Images)
Members of the Worshipful Company of Paviors (PA)

Mr Lyons then travelled in his horse-drawn state coach – the oldest ceremonial vehicle in the world still in regular use, according to show organisers – to the Royal Courts in Fleet Street to pledge loyalty to the Crown.

The pageant dates back to the early 13th century and included more modern touches including the cast of the musical Grease, a gay pride float and the emergency services.

In total, 6,500 people, 250 horses, and 133 floats are estimated to have taken part.

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