6 December

Show time for the 695th Lord Mayor!

On Saturday 11 November, The Lord Mayor's Show joined 7,000 people, 250 horses, and over 50 decorated floats together for The City's biggest annual spectacle!

This years show was cheered on by around 250,000 people who lined the City’s streets, as well as millions watching the live BBC One coverage and online streaming at home, with commentary provided by former BBC Radio 1 presenter, Scott Mills. 

Leading the parade and riding in the golden State Coach, which has been used in every Lord Mayor’s Show since 1757, was Seattle-born economist, accountant, and scientist, Michael Mainelli, the new and 695th Lord Mayor of the City of London.

Starting from the Lord Mayor’s official residence, The Mansion House, the joyous three-mile-long parade included colourful floats representing City charities, schools, community groups, musicians, performers, financial institutions, military bands, Livery companies and The Lord Mayor's Appeal's partner charities MQ Mental Health Research and National Numeracy. 

A Ukraine-themed float, created by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, sent a clear message that London stands proudly with Ukraine and its people.

The actor, comedian, and artist, Jim Moir, best known as Vic Reeves, designed the artwork for the Show’s official poster and commemorative programme and was one of the passengers in the ‘Art Bus’, which made a welcome return this year. Other floats included:

• The Senior Liveries Float, which represented the oldest charity fundraising body in the UK - the City’s Guilds and liveries, dating from the 10th century, and providing around £65m every year
• Six Mongolian horsemen from the forthcoming production, The Mongol Khan, at the London Coliseum
• Christ’s Hospital School Band, dating from 1868 and which first attended The Lord Mayor’s Show in 1974. During the Show, the musicians wore their famous Tudor uniform, worn by all of the 900 students.

Lord Mayor of the City of London Michael Mainelli said:

“These marvellous marchers, specially selected to represent their communities and good causes, help make The Lord Mayor’s Show what it is – a tremendous celebration of our great City’s diversity and a genuinely fun day out. I am grateful to everyone who took part, whether it is their thirtieth or first experience of joining the parade, and I hope they had a very enjoyable day.”

Michael Mainelli succeeds Nicholas Lyons as the head of the governing body of the Square Mile, the City of London Corporation, and serves for one year, living and working at The Mansion House from 1 December 2023. 

During his mayoralty, the Lord Mayor acts as an international spokesperson for the City, leading business delegations overseas to key international markets, on behalf of the UK’s financial and professional services industry.

Read more about The Lord Mayor's Appeal's charity partners here