Lord Mayor's Show 2026 to Revive Historic Thames Barge Journey for First Time Since 2017

The Lord Mayor's Show on Saturday 14 November will revive a historic Thames river tradition not seen since 2017, as incoming Lord Mayor Bronek Masojada boards the Royal Shallop "Jubilant" at Westminster and disembarks at HMS President before joining the main procession. Masojada, a retired insurance executive who served as Chief Executive of Hiscox Ltd until 2021, will lead an 11am procession departing from the Mansion House and covering 2.86 miles through the City of London, with approximately 6,500 participants, 250 horses, and over 50 decorated floats. More than 350,000 spectators are expected to line the route, with millions more watching a live broadcast on BBC One. The King's 78th birthday falls on 14 November, and the Royal Navy will provide a Guard of Honour and parade the King's Colour. International performers include Grammy Award-winning South African dance group INALA, a Polish folk band, German and Swiss bands, and the US Navy Band. Some 450 RAF Air Cadets will march to mark their 80th anniversary. The show also marks 100 years since it was first broadcast live on BBC radio in 1926.