Highlights of the First Lady Mayor's Show

For over 800 years, London descends on the City for a centuries-old tradition of pomp and pageantry – the Lord Mayor's Show. Except this year, for the first time in the show’s history, it was the Lady Mayor's Show. Dame Sue Langley was recently elected as Lady Mayor of London and last Saturday was officially presented to the City in her official position after journeying in the 270-year-old golden State Coach to swear allegiance to the Crown.

Dame Sue has worked in the City for most of her life, so she knows first-hand that the City represents a place that blends innovation and history. With a background in Insurance, in 2015, she received an OBE for services to women in business and in 2023, a DBE for public service to the financial services industry. Given her background, she is perfectly placed in her new role to promote financial services for the City of London, both at home and abroad.

In this year’s programme, designed and illustrated by the fashion illustrator David Downton, Dame Sue speaks with radio presenter Gaby Roslin. Here she tracks her background growing up in the East End, her career both in the City and in government, to what her plans are for bolstering foreign investment into the UK.

For yet another year, the world’s oldest unrehearsed procession was orchestrated by Pageant master, Dominic Reid, OBE, for the 33rd time in a row, succeeding his father, who managed the 20 shows prior.

Information regarding the event, the floats, and, as ever, a useful cartoon map of the procession route was packaged by Illustrated London News – SPHERE’s parent company. Doing our part, the SPHERE and ILN team pounded the pavements in high-vis vests to sell the programme, sharing with the crowd key components of the historic occasion.

The highlight of the day has to be watching Dame Sue lean out of her golden coach, donning her civic regalia — including the bejewelled Collar of Esses originally gifted to the Lord Mayor by Henry VIII — in all its glory, waving her feathered hat to the masses.

Alongside her in the Coach are the Chaplain, two Esquires, the Swordbearer (who proudly carries the Lord Mayor’s Sword of State), and the Common Cryer and Serjeant at Arms, who wields the great Mace of the City. Leading the procession is the City Marshal, riding ahead of the State Coach on horseback, a striking figure in the pageant.

Taking the lead from the Lady Mayor herself, the rest of the procession jubiliantly followed behind. Everyone from the Pearly Kings and Queens, a.k.a London’s suited and booted cockney royalty, and the Zhejiang UK Business Association, to the Worshipful Company of Butchers with their giant inflatable rib of beef. That’s not to mention the 120+ others that took part.

Another year, another dynamic mix of participants, and yet another triumph. ILN continues to proudly support the running of such a historical and important event. Cheers to Dame Sue!

All images taken by Rick Pushinsky. Find out more information about this year's show via: https://lordmayorsshow.london/