The Lord Mayor's Show is one of the oldest traditions in London, dating back to 1215 when King John granted a charter allowing for a procession through the streets. The Show, held yearly on the second Saturday in November, is organised by The City of London Corporation, with support from many other organisations and businesses across the City and beyond.
The procession includes representatives from all sectors of London's business life, including 130 companies with floats - each representing one of London's professions or industries - and members of City livery companies (similar to trade guilds and unions). Its purpose is to present the newly-elected Lord Mayor to the public and convey him in the horse-drawn State Coach to the Royal Courts of Justice to swear an oath of allegiance to the Sovereign. The route is lined with people all along the way, who wave flags, cheer and take pictures. The Show is the subject of a live 90-minute broadcast by the BBC.
This year, B3CF Executive Director, Vladislav Dobrokhotov, joined the procession as a Freeman of The Worshipful Company of Marketors. The Marketor's Float featured six Bentley cars ranging from a 1929 vintage to a 2022 Mulliner Hybrid with the main message "Marketing drives change".
"It was amazing to be a part of the history, marching in London streets and witnessing before that the extraordinary and mysterious Silent Ceremony (Inauguration of the Lord Mayor) that has been held every year since around the time Dick Whittington became Lord Mayor over 600 years ago," Vladislav said.
Vladislav is currently planning The Helsinki Float for the Lord Mayor's Show 2023, joining the procession of the "Trading Cities of the World". All interested parties are welcome to cooperate.
Click any picture to see the whole gallery for the event.
