Lord Mayor's Banquet Monday 11th November

The Lord Mayor's Banquet is an important City event, if not better described as a national event in so much as it is always attended by the Prime Minister, senior cabinet ministers, the Lord Chancellor, The Archbishop of Canterbury, a great number of Ambassadors and High Commissioners, and many others doing important work across the City and wider London.

Guildhall beautifully prepared for a banquet

Whilst taking place in Guildhall it is not per se a livery event at all and indeed attended this year by only eleven Masters or Prime Wardens.  It was therefore a great privilege to be able to attend this event in my year as Master due to the Aldermanic Sheriff having the Marketors as his mother company.   It was good to see Past Master Venetia Howes also in attendance with her husband Roger, as well as our Liveryman Trevor Brignall both doing valuable work within the City. Another Marketor present was the Home Secretary, Theresa May.

It is a glittering White Tie occasion and an opportunity to thank the late Lord Mayor Roger Gifford, as well as enabling the new Lord Mayor to set out her agenda for the year ahead.  The Prime Minister also customarily delivers a state of the nation address. For those interested in reading the transcripts of the speeches given it is normally possible to download these from the City of London website.