Your mayor

The elected Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is the first citizen of the borough and by law has precedence everywhere in the borough. This excludes members of the Royal Family and His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Greater London who take precedence over the Mayor.

These guidelines set out the protocol that must be observed at events which the Mayor attends in an official capacity. The Mayor is unable to accept an invitation where the organisation feels, for whatever reason, unable to accept this procedure. If the Mayor decides to attend a function in a private capacity, they would be without their chains of office and they would be treated as any other private individual.

How to address the Mayor

Printed literature and formal announcements

In printed literature and for formal announcements, the correct forms of address are:

• The Mayor only: ‘The Worshipful the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Councillor (name)’
• The Mayor and Mayoress/Consort: ‘The Worshipful the Mayor and Mayoress/Consort of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Councillor [name] and Mayoress/Consort [name]’

 

After formal introductions, in direct speech and when in conversation, the correct forms of address are:

• The Mayor: ‘Mr/Madam Mayor’
• The Mayoress: ‘Madam Mayoress’
• Consort: ‘Mr/Mrs/Miss [name]’

 

Written letters to the Mayor

Letters should be addressed to ‘The Worshipful the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Councillor (name)’ and any written correspondence should commence with ‘Dear Mr/Madam Mayor’.

The Deputy Mayor

If the Mayor is unable to attend a function, the Deputy Mayor will attend where possible and should be accorded the same protocol as the Mayor. Therefore, in printed literature and for formal announcements, the correct form of address is 'The Worshipful the Deputy Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Councillor [name]'. After formal introductions in direct speech and when in conversation, the Deputy Mayor should be addressed as ‘Mr Deputy Mayor/Madam Deputy Mayor’.

Arrival and departure

The organiser must ensure that a named person meets the mayor on arrival and makes introductions to the president, chairperson or host of the event.

It is suggested that if you require the mayor to carry out a specific duty, such as ribbon cutting, or declaring an event or shop open, they should arrive 10 minutes before to be briefed. 

The mayor has many engagements so please do confirm a mayoral departure time. This is important information for the mayor and enables the Mayor’s Office to arrange the mayoral diary. 

The organiser should also ensure that the Mayor is escorted from the venue to the mayoral car at the time of departure.

Charity functions

The Mayor is willing, whenever possible, to open bazaars, sales of work and other events in aid of charity. They should not, however, be asked to open on the second day (if any) unless the first day of the event is to be opened by a member of the Royal Family or the Lord Lieutenant of Greater London.

Seating

The Mayor should be placed to the immediate right of the chairperson or person presiding, unless the Lord Lieutenant of Greater London is present, in which case the Mayor should be on the immediate left of the chairperson or person presiding.

The mayoress/consort should be seated on the immediate left of the chair, except when the mayor sits on the chair’s left, in which case they should sit on the mayor’s left.

Speeches and toasts

During any speeches, the presence of the Mayor should be acknowledged first assuming a Royal visitor, the Lord Lieutenant of Greater London are not present.

Usually, the mayor should be the first speaker (excluding introductions) if a Royal visitor or the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London are not present.

If you wish for the mayor to propose or respond to a toast or to make a speech, prior notice must be given. Please provide the proposed toast list, draft speech or notes to the Mayor’s Office at least 10 working days prior to the event. A toast of the borough should follow the King but should it be omitted it is usual for the Mayor to propose or respond to the toast immediately after the Royal Toast.

Publicity

The Mayor will be pleased to be included in a reasonable number of photographs taken at your event. However, these must not be used for commercial or political purposes.

You must let the Mayor’s Office know in advance if your event will be filmed. If you would like a filmed or recorded interview with the mayor it must be agreed in advance with the Mayor’s Office. Please contact the Mayor’s Office with full details at least 10 working days before the event to agree the filming and subject matter.

You will be required to share the finished content with the Mayor’s Office for approval prior to publication. Any potential publicity around the Mayor’s attendance must also be discussed with the Mayor’s Office.

Form of dress and regalia

Smart attire is the standard dress code for the Mayor. Please advise of any specific dress code for your event and additional clothing suggestions, such as black or white tie, hats, safety boots, head scarf. 

The mayor will wear the mayoral chain and badge of office at events in the borough. At events outside the borough, the mayor will wear the badge of office on a ribbon unless the host mayor gives permission to wear the chain and badge of office. The mayoral robes of office are mainly worn on civic and ceremonial occasions i.e. Remembrance Sunday and at Civic Services, but they are also worn for some award ceremonies and on school visits.

Church services

The Mayor should be met at the entrance to the church and directed to the front right hand pew. (At funeral services it is normal for family mourners to occupy the front right hand pew and for the mayoral party to take the left). It is courteous for the congregation to rise at the Mayor’s entry and departure. Where appropriate the assembly should rise upon the Mayor’s entrance and again on their departure.

Visits to schools or meetings

Where appropriate the assembly should rise upon the Mayor’s entrance and again on their departure

Parking

Where possible, a parking space should be reserved for the Mayor’s car as near to the venue entrance as possible.

Mayor’s Chauffeur

Within the borough, the Mayor’s Chauffeur will drive the Mayor to and from the event. Where appropriate, it would be appreciated if you could provide waiting accommodation for the Mayor’s Chauffeur.

 

Contact us

Mayor’s Office
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Town Hall
8 Hornton Street
London
W8 7NX

telephone: 020 7361 2431
email: [email protected]