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, His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Greater London and the Representative Deputy Lieutenant of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea 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 regalia of office and they would be treated as any other private individual.

How to address the Mayor

In printed literature or if the Mayor is to be announced at an event, the correct form of address is 'The Worshipful the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Councillor Forename Surname'. After formal introductions or if there are no formal introductions, the Mayor can be addressed as Mr. Mayor/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 or if the Deputy Mayor is to be announced at an event, the correct form of address is 'The Worshipful the Deputy Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Councillor Forename Surname'. After formal introductions or if there are no formal introductions, the Deputy Mayor can 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 host or notable guests. The organiser should also ensure that the Mayor is escorted from the venue to the mayoral car at the time of departure. Where possible, a parking space should be reserved for the Mayor’s car as near to the venue entrance as possible.

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.

Table 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.

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 or the Representative Deputy Lieutenant 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 and further details will be requested by the Mayor’s Office.  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.

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