Lord Mayor to Revive Historic Thames Barge Journey for the 811-Year-Old Lord Mayor's Show

The City of London Corporation announced that incoming Lord Mayor Bronek Masojada will revive the historic tradition of traveling by ceremonial barge as part of the Lord Mayor's Show on Saturday 14 November 2026, the first Lord Mayor's Show river procession since 2017. Masojada will depart Westminster at 8:30am aboard the Royal Shallop "Jubilant", accompanied by his wife, the Sheriffs and a flotilla of Livery Company boats, before disembarking at HMS President and joining the land procession. The river journey recalls the historic route Lord Mayors once took when traveling to Westminster to swear loyalty to the Crown. The land procession covers 2.86 miles from the Mansion House to the Royal Courts of Justice. The 2026 Show carries an additional milestone: it marks exactly 100 years since the BBC first broadcast the event on radio in 1926. The Show is expected to feature approximately 6,500 participants, 250 horses and more than 50 decorated floats, with over 350,000 spectators and millions watching on BBC One. The Royal Navy will parade the King's Colour on what also coincides with His Majesty's 78th birthday.