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In 2022, Alderman Nicholas Lyons was elected the 694th Lord Mayor of the City of London. He is the Company's fourth Lord Mayor in the last century, and served in office during the King's Coronation. The portrait was unveiled by the Master, Michael Cole-Fontayn, at a ceremony on 18th April 2024.
Artist, Simon Watkins, said:
'It was a great honour and pleasure to paint the Lord Mayor of London's portrait for the Merchant Taylors' Company. The City of London is a fascinating mixture of the historical and the cutting-edge, looking back while moving forward. The art of portraiture has a similar balancing act: informed by a great tradition with some of history's finest painters, one still must paint people as they live and breathe today.'
The Lord Mayors' Show of 2022, celebrating the election of Alderman Lyons, saw members of the Court and Livery of the Merchant Taylors' Company ride down Cheapside on the backs of camels led by the Beadle. The Company's float celebrated the musical talents of affiliated schools, while Company members walked alongside dressed as cotton reels - a nod to our tailoring heritage.
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Simon Watkins depicts Alderman Lyons in the red velvet and ermine trimmed robes donned by the Lord Mayor for the coronation of King Charles III. About his neck he wears the Mayoral collar, known as the Collar of Esses. This ceremonial chain was given to the City of London by Sir John Aleyn - Mercer and Lord Mayor of London in 1535. The collar is composed of enamelled gold roses, garter knots and 'esses', with a central diamond badge or jewel. This jewel contains a cameo depicting the arms if the City of London, surmounted by the City's motto within a garter of gold, blue enamel and diamonds. About this is a circle of roses, shamrocks and thistles.
Alderman Lyons holds the Crystal Sceptre, recently identified to be the gift of Henry V to the City of London in thanks for the City's monetary assistance at the Battle of Agincourt. The Sceptre plays an important part in the Silent Ceremony each year, when the new Lord Mayor is sworn in, and is a symbol of authority and of allegiance to the Crown. It has been a working part of the Lord Mayor’s regalia for nearly 600 years.