Anybody can attend the Silent Ceremony at the Guildhall. Dating back for hundreds of years, Aldermen, City Officers, Liverymen and visitors watched the changeover (in silence, apart from the Oath of Office). The outgoing Lord Mayor, Alan Yarrow, then moved to his left and beckoned the incoming Lord Mayor, Lord Mountevans, to his seat. He donned his tricorn hat at the moment Alan Yarrow removed his, symbolising the official transfer of the Mayoralty.
This is not me taking a ‘selfie’ at the Guildhall but my adopted compatriot, Kim Chang-mo, Minister, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea. South Korea's President Park Geun-Hye is an Honorary Freeman of the City and close links have been established. Murray Craig, Clerk of the Chamberlain's Court, asked me to explain the proceedings to Chang-mo and invited both of us to his soirée later. Quite an eclectic group heard Murray explain the history of the Ceremony and Freedom and show items in his office relevant to each guest. In our case, of course, he looks after our Royal Charter.
No comments:
Post a Comment