Lord Mayor of London
The office of Mayor was instituted in 1189, the first holder being Henry Fitz-Ailwin de Londonestone. This civic role has existed for over eight centuries without interruption. King John issued a royal charter in 1215 that established the right to elect the mayor rather than having the sovereign appoint one. The title Lord Mayor came into use after 1354 when it was granted to Thomas Legge by King Edward III. Almost 700 people have served as Lord Mayor since those early days. Sir Nicholas Brembre held four terms between 1377 and 1385 while Sir Richard Whittington served four times from 1397 to 1419. Dame Mary Donaldson became the first woman elected in 1983 followed by Dame Fiona Woolf in 2013. Alderwoman Dame Susan Langley assumed the Mayoralty in November 2025 setting a precedent for using Lady Mayor instead of Lord Mayor.
Common Hall comprises liverymen belonging to all of the City's livery companies who gather at Guildhall on Michaelmas Day or the closest weekday. Voting occurs by show of hands though balloting is held a fortnight later if any liveryman demands it. One must serve as a City sheriff before standing for election to the Lord Mayoralty. Since 1385 prior service as sheriff has been mandatory for this position. Two sheriffs are selected annually by Common Hall which meets on Midsummer's Day for this purpose. The Lord Mayor must be chosen from amongst the aldermen of the City of London under an ordinance of 1435. Each alderman submits for re-election at least once every six years now after previously holding office for life or until resignation. Those on the electoral roll of each of the City's 25 wards select one alderman who represents their ward.
The ceremony known as the Silent Ceremony takes place at Guildhall where no speeches are made aside from a short declaration by the incoming Lord Mayor. The outgoing Lord Mayor transfers mayoral insignia including the seal purse sword and mace to the successor during this event. The day after being sworn into office the Lord Mayor leads a procession from the City of London to the Royal Courts of Justice in Westminster. This pageantry evolved into one of London's longest-running annual events called the Lord Mayor's Show. The Lord Mayor travels in the City's state coach built in 1757 at a cost of £1,065.0s.3d. Since 1959 the festival has been held on the second Saturday in November combining traditional British pageantry with carnival elements. Participants include livery companies bands military members charities and schools while fireworks display occurs in the evening.
The main role of the Lord Mayor is to represent support and promote all aspects of the UK's financial service industries including maritime sectors. As head of the City of London Corporation the Lord Mayor hosts visiting foreign government ministers business people and dignitaries. Foreign visits are conducted under the auspices of the FCDO with hundreds of speeches delivered annually. Banquets hosted by the Lord Mayor serve as opportunities for senior government figures to deliver major speeches. At the Lord Mayor's Banquet held on the Monday after the Lord Mayor's Show the Prime Minister delivers the keynote address. The Chancellor of the Exchequer gives a speech known as the Mansion House Speech during the Bankers' Dinner in June. The Foreign Secretary addresses an audience of international dignitaries at the Easter Banquet also hosted each year at the Mansion House.
On formal occasions the Lord Mayor wears traditional black velvet court dress consisting of coat waistcoat and knee breeches with steel cut buttons worn with black silk stockings patent court shoes with steel buckles white shirt lace cuffs and large jabot stock. Outdoors the Lord Mayor wears a black beaver plush tricorne hat trimmed with black ostrich feathers and steel loop for cockade traditionally made by Patey's. Since 1545 the Lord Mayor has worn a Royal Livery Collar of Esses containing 28 Esses Tudor roses tasselled knots of Garter alternating with Portcullis from which hangs Mayoral Jewel. The collar is worn over whatever the Lord Mayor may be wearing secured onto underdress or State Robes by means of black or white silk satin ribbons on shoulders. For state occasions when monarch is present the Lord Mayor wears crimson velvet robe of state trimmed with ermine cape and facings similar to royal earl coronation robe tied with gold cordons dating from reign of George IV.
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Common questions
When was the office of Lord Mayor of London first instituted and who was the first holder?
The office of Lord Mayor of London was instituted in 1189 with Henry Fitz-Ailwin de Londonestone serving as the first holder. This civic role has existed for over eight centuries without interruption.
Who became the first woman elected as Lord Mayor of London and when did this occur?
Dame Mary Donaldson became the first woman elected as Lord Mayor of London in 1983. She was followed by Dame Fiona Woolf in 2013 before Alderwoman Dame Susan Langley assumed the Mayoralty in November 2025.
What are the mandatory requirements to stand for election as Lord Mayor of London since 1385?
One must serve as a City sheriff before standing for election to the Lord Mayoralty. Since 1385 prior service as sheriff has been mandatory for this position and the Lord Mayor must be chosen from amongst the aldermen under an ordinance of 1435.
On what date is the Lord Mayor's Show held each year and how long has it run?
Since 1959 the festival known as the Lord Mayor's Show has been held on the second Saturday in November. It evolved into one of London's longest-running annual events starting with pageantry that includes the State coach built in 1757.
Which government officials deliver speeches at the main banquets hosted by the Lord Mayor of London?
The Prime Minister delivers the keynote address at the Lord Mayor's Banquet held on the Monday after the Lord Mayor's Show. The Chancellor of the Exchequer gives the Mansion House Speech during the Bankers' Dinner in June while the Foreign Secretary addresses international dignitaries at the Easter Banquet.