Frequently Asked Questions
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How does the Lord Mayor get to be Lord Mayor?
Leicester’s Lord Mayor has just one year in office and it runs from May to May. Each year the longest serving City Councillor is offered the role. That Councillor may defer it and if so it is then offered to the next in line and so on. Any member of the public to become a City Councillor may therefore become Lord Mayor if they are re-elected enough times.
How do I address the Lord Mayor in a letter or in conversation?
A letter:
The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor (and their name). Then My Lord Mayor
A formal speech:
The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Leicester Councillor (and their name)
The Deputy Lord Mayor and High Bailiff are not entitled to "The Right Worshipful".
Less formal speech,
My Lord Mayor or Lord Mayor
The Lord Mayor is a lady what do I call her?
It is still Lord Mayor! Think of the office and chain not the person. A Royal Charter grants permission to have a Lord Mayor. The Lord Mayor is the official elected office holder.
Who is the Lady Mayoress?
The Lady Mayoress accompanies and assists the Lord Mayor on occasions. The title has no inclusion in pre-ambles but should be accorded a similar respect to that of the Lord Mayor. The Lady Mayoress has no official title other than Lady Mayoress.
The Lady Mayoress is not a female Lord Mayor.
When does the Lord Mayor need to speak?
If you want the Lord Mayor to say a few words (make a speech) then the Lord Mayor should speak after the host. This usually makes the Lord Mayor the second speaker. The Lord Mayor should be announced, and a formal occasion should have preambles.
What are preambles?
Preambles are a way of acknowledging people in order of there roles
The Lord Mayor will always be the first person mentioned in the preamble unless Her Majesty The Queen or the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire is present. You do not need to mention the Lady Mayoress in the preamble
For example an announcement could be made as follows
My Lord Mayor
Your Excellency (the address of an Ambassador)
Member of Parliament
Councillors
Ladies and Gentlemen
Pray silence for (the name of the speaker)
I am worried about announcing preambles!
Contact the Lord Mayor’s Secretariat it is quite possible that the Lord Mayor’s Civic Attendant can do the announcing for you or can offer other assistance.
What should I do when the Lord Mayor arrives?
On arrival the Lord Mayor (wearing the 18 carat gold chain of office on black velvet) will either have experience of your type of event or will have read the information you will have supplied to the Secretariat. Either way someone should greet the Lord Mayor on arrival. The event host should always meet with the Lord Mayor. You should allocate someone to accompany the Lord Mayor during the visit if the event host is otherwise engaged.
What if I have to meet the Lord Mayor at the Town Hall?
Introduce yourself at the reception desk, and you will be directed to the Lord Mayor's Secretariat office. Alternatively someone will collect you
What should I wear to a function at the Town Hall?
The Lord Mayor will be dressed smartly as a mark of respect for invited guests, therefore it is only fitting that you try to reciprocate, not all gentlemen may have a suit but a shirt and tie would be most welcome.
Will the Lord Mayor come to my event?
You will not know unless you ask! The Lord Mayor usually accept the first invitation for a particular date providing it is appropriate for the Lord Mayor to attend. So yes, but invite the Lord Mayor as soon as possible.
I have a formal dinner where should the Lord Mayor sit?
On the right of the host unless Her Majesty The Queen or the Lord-Lieutenant are present.
If we've not answered your questions here, call us at the Lord Mayor's Secretariat on 0116 2232000 or e-mail: mailto:lord.mayor@leicester.gov.uk