Sshhh… it’s the Silent Ceremony

Find out how the Lord Mayor of the City of London is sworn into office, in a ceremony dating back 800 years

What is the Silent Ceremony?

The Silent Ceremony is the swearing-in of the new Lord Mayor of the City of London. It takes place every year on the Friday before the second Saturday in November, which usually – but not always – works out as the second Friday in November.

The setting is the medieval Great Hall in Guildhall, which has been the centre of government in the City for centuries. In a fabulous piece of pagaentary, various dignitaries in full regalia process into the hall under the watchful eyes of Gog and Magog – the mythical guardians of the City.

The entire ceremony really does take place in silence, except for when the incoming Lord Mayor makes a brief declaration. It’s all about the visuals: the new Lord Mayor donning a tricorn hat as the outgoing Lord Mayor removes their own. There’s also a great deal of bowing as the symbols of office, including the Sceptre, the Seal and the Purse, are presented and placed on a velvet cushion.

The incoming Lord Mayor signs for the plate, thereby taking responsibility for the silver at Mansion House. Then the City officials take it in turn to congratulate them (silently, of course), before they all process out again.

A fanfare tells us that the new Lord Mayor is in the car and heading back to Mansion House. Along the way, the outgoing Lord Mayor will hand over the Christ’s Hospital seal, before the Swordbearer pops it back under their hat for safe keeping.

How to get tickets for the Silent Ceremony

The livery companies play a large role in the election of the Lord Mayor of the City of London, so you can expect to find plenty of liverymen on the guest list. But members of the public are invited too, with a limited number of tickets available by ballot. Keep an eye on the City of London’s social media channels in the summer for details of how to enter the ballot.

Discover the City of London

The Silent Ceremony is just one of the ancient rituals in the City of London calendar. Find out more about the historic Square Mile and the ceremonies that make it unique when you book a guided walking tour of the City.