The Pomp And Pageantry Of London

By Author: Carolyn Clayton
Total Articles: 130
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One of the great attractions of London for visitors is the pomp and ceremony. This doesn't just refer to the Royal aspects of the British capital but also to the many traditions involving the Government, the Lord Mayor and various other institutions. Some of the ceremonies that happen regularly or periodically in the capital are unique to the city and even though other cities, countries and cultures have their own attractions, there's a whiff of exceptionality about those in London not matched elsewhere.

Even the simple act of guarding the royal palace draws attention. Who would have thought that the spectacle of a man in uniform standing stock still for hours on end would be a major tourist attraction? The red coated guardsmen complete with tall bearskins have been the perfect posers for photo opportunities for decades and the changing of the guard ceremony is not to be missed.

Sticking with the place/guard theme, in June each year the capital celebrates the sovereign's official birthday with the highly colourful, spectacular trooping of the colour. Soldiers from the Household Cavalry and other regiments polish ...
... everything to a shine and parade The Mall and Horseguards Parade. The Queen used to ride her beloved horse at the front of the parade but age now means a carriage ride in the procession.

Another ceremonial tradition takes place at the Tower of London. If you happen to be around the White Tower at closing up time you can view the ceremony of the keys. This is the regimented procedure during which the Yeomen of the Tower, also known as Beefeaters, lock the building and grounds for the night.

Parades aren't just for Royal Birthdays. The Lord Mayor's Show is the world's oldest civic procession and takes place every second Saturday in November. For more than 800 years the Mayor and representatives and citizens of the city have paraded to the Royal Courts of Justice to pledge allegiance to the Crown. Today the pageantry includes the more contemporary aspects of any major city parade and culminates in a massive firework display over the Thames. The Show is a fabulous day out for the whole family.

Another ceremony with pomp and longevity is the State Opening of Parliament. Another November ceremony (or after a General Election), this involves the Sovereign in the State Coach being driven to the House of Lords to open the new session of government. The parade also involves the Peers and Bishops of the land and culminates with the Sovereign's speech.

Despite the inclement weather you might have to suffer, November is a good month to visit London. As well as the Lord Mayor's Show and the Opening of Parliament, the Remembrance Day commemorative even takes place in Whitehall on the Sunday closest to the 11th. Albeit entirely more sombre an occasion, it is still a major showcase of the city. Once the dignitaries have completed their part in the ceremony at the Cenotaph, Whitehall is given over to the mass bands and parades of servicemen, current and retired.

It would be hard to find anywhere else in the world that present pomp and pageantry better than London.
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