Southampton Lord Mayor Making Ceremony

Southampton Lord Mayor Making Ceremony

The prestigious event marks the start of the Lord Mayor’s year-long term of office, attended by civic dignitaries, councillors, and members of the public.
Lord Mayor Making is an opportunity for the city to come together to welcome and appoint its new Lord Mayor and its Sheriff (Deputy Lord Mayor).

The Lord Mayor is recognised as the ‘first citizen’ of Southampton and Honorary Admiral of the Port - playing an important ambassadorial role in representing the city at a local, regional, and national level.

Lord Mayor status was bestowed upon Southampton in 2022, with Queen Elizabeth II making the final decision as part of her Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours competition. Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, visited the Civic Centre in February 2023 to unveil the Letters Patent – the official document confirming the city’s Lord Mayor status.

Southampton’s Mayor Making ceremony will take place on 15 May 2024 at 11am and will be attended by the outgoing Councillor Valerie Laurent, who has served for the past year.

Councillor David Shields, who has served as the city’s Sheriff (Deputy Lord Mayor) for the past 12 months, will be confirmed Lord Mayor after taking the oath of office and receiving the Lord Mayoral chain and robes. He will also announce her chosen charities for the year.

One of Councillor Shields' key responsibilities as Lord Mayor will be to Chair Full Council meetings, and will play a leading role in attending many engagements each week representing the city and the council.

This annual civic event takes place at the O2 Guildhall.
The ceremony starts at 11am and guests are requested to be seated by 10.45am
Free entry - all welcome.