Puppets, pomp and processions: Lord Mayor’s Show makes its London comeback after Covid cancelled it last year for only the second time in 800 years

• Lord Mayor’s Show makes comeback after 2020 Covid cancellation in 2020 for only second time in 800 years
• Vincent Keaveny was sworn in at the Royal Courts of Justice as the 693rd person to be the Lord Mayor
• The  show is one of the olderst of British traditions, dating to the thirteenth century and the rule of King John
• A procession celebrating a variety of cultures and traditions weaved its way through the streets of London 

The Lord Mayor’s Show made its comeback after it was cancelled in 2020 for just the second time in 800 years, because of Covid. 

The show is one of the oldest of British traditions that celebrates the inauguration of a new Lord Mayor and dates back to the thirteenth century.

The Lord Mayor of London is the City of London’s mayor and is not connected to the role of the Mayor of London, a role held by Sadiq Khan.

Vincent Keaveny was sworn in at the Royal Courts of Justice as the 693rd person to hold the office and attended the parade today.

His term will last one year, with his main role being to support and promote Britain’s financial service industries by holding banquets and hosting foreign diplomats.

The procession included full-size model elephants, Japanese drummers, and a horse-drawn bus, while the state coach is the oldest ceremonial vehicle in the world still in regular use, according to show organisers.

Yeomen Warders (centre) with Lord Mayor of the City of London’s ceremonial bodyguards in Guildhall Yard before the Lord Mayor’s Show in the City of London

Vincent Keaveny, the 693rd Lord Mayor of the City of London, (centre left) during the Lord Mayor’s Show in the City of London

A performer smiles during the annual Lord Mayor’s Show through the streets of the City of London

Vincent Keaveny, the 693rd Lord Mayor of the City of London, in the State Coach before the Lord Mayor’s Show in the City of London

Financial services are one of the main industries the Lord Mayor of the City of London supports and promotes in his role

A soldier in military dress and medals rides a black horse as he grips the reins as well as a silver sword while wearing white gloves

Members of armed forces during the parade in the Lord Mayor’s Show in the City of London

The Show dates back to the early 13th century, when King John rashly allowed the City of London to appoint its own Mayor

Even a City of London Bob the Builder made an appearance at the inauguration of the new Lord Mayor, Vincent Keaveny

Soldiers in present and past uniforms took to the parade. A soldier in a British army issue helmet joined the parade (right)

A jet black horse reacts during the Lord Mayor’s Show as it is ridden during the parade through London today

Representations of Magog (left) and Gog (right). In the Hebrew Bible they were thought to want to invade Israel, while in Christian scriptures they were portrayed as evil spirits opposed to God

The procession saw a colourful mix of costumes and professions come together to celebrate the yearly event as it returned to London

The Worshipful Company of Distillers joined in a beer-bicycle, or pedibus, as they used their feet to move their beer-laden vehicle forwards

This inflatable rugby player with a black and white headband was suspended above the streets of London in a permanent dive to score a try

The parade saw crowds gather to watch the history event for the first time in two years after 2020’s event was cancelled because of Covid

There were a variety of weapons on display as parade-goers watched men in metal armour and helmets with red trimmings

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It was not only weapons and military might on display as London’s culture was celebrated en-masse for the Lord Mayor’s Show

A man in a green top dressed as a flower with white face paint and petal wings waves as he takes part in today’s procession

The 693rd Lord Mayor of London will be Alderman Vincent Keaveny of the Farringdon Within ward, who works as a partner in the international law firm DLA Piper

Participants march in a parade during the Lord Mayor’s show in London

Two people dress up together as a sheep with an orange face and blue eyes, with only their shoes and forearms visible

A black and brown owl with piercing yellow eyes look out over the parade from the top of a military vehicle in London

The owl was joined by a slender cat wearing a navy blue scarf and a poppy as it too waved while standing in a military vehicle

A soldier in green, beige and brown camouflaged uniform stands in a doorway with camouflage paint on his face while wearing a helmet

Sadly the gold bullion on display were only replicas, although they represent the services the Lord Mayor will seek to support

A pair of horses with white fluffy hooves in traditional reins and blinkers draws a maroon carriage with a brass band on top

The 800-year-old tradition shows off the best of all cultures in a celebratory spirit for the inauguration of the Lord Mayor

Members of the Royal Air Force paraded through the streets of London with their bayonets fixed to their guns as they marched in uniforms with white gloves

Younger members of the military in navy blue jumpers, poppies and white belts with ivory-coloured gloves and blue berets paraded as well

A young woman in military gear with a army issue gun sits on the top of an army vehicle during the parade

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