Inside Mansion House: The Lord Mayor’s Residence

The Inner Workings of the Lord Mayor's Residence

There is only one house in London that has had different inhabitants every year for nearly three centuries. This is Mansion House, the residence of the Lord Mayor of the City of London. The house is both a public and private place, with some areas on view to visitors, and others, the living quarters of the serving Lord Mayor and family, usually a Lady Mayoress, behind closed doors.

From the time it was first occupied in 1752, Mansion House has been recognised as one of the grandest Georgian town palaces in London and is an imposing landmark building in the beating heart of the City of London. It was designed by the architect George Dance the Elder in the style of English Palladianism. But this is not just a ‘grace and favour home’ with one couple rattling round; there is a whole ‘machine’ here, supporting the Lord Mayor’s role, which has evolved over centuries. Originally the building included a Justice Room where the Lord Mayor heard cases in his role as Chief Magistrate of the City of London, since relegated to the modern justice system.

Behind the Scenes at Mansion House

So what goes on behind the scenes at Mansion House, how is it run and who works there? The best person to explain this to me is Caroline Jack, Executive Director and Principal Private Secretary to the Lord Mayor and in charge of Mansion House. “Mansion House has three main functions,” says Jack. “It is the private home of the Lord Mayor. It is the working office of a modern-day ambassador and trade commissioner. Thirdly, it is a commercial and civic event space.”

The latter function is key. Mansion House is in use every day of the year, hosting ceremonial events connected with the Mayoralty, and not everyone knows that the magnificent public rooms are available to hire on a commercial basis. It is possibly one of the grandest events venues in London, but do not assume this is for ‘stuffy’ formal events. The recent appointment of modern, eco-friendly caterers, Social Pantry, is a sign of a new direction. “Every day there are at least two or three things going on,” comments Jack. “Civic events, commercial events, meetings behind the scenes, private entertaining. The household team runs the household in a traditional way, but it is non-stop and the building operates 24/7.”

The juxtaposition of the formal salons with working offices is most apparent on the first floor. The splendid Egyptian Hall, the stately Drawing Rooms and the Long Parlour form the principal public rooms, richly furnished and decorated with art on loan from Guildhall Art Gallery. The Venetian Parlour is the office of the Lord Mayor. Staff work mostly in offices adjacent to the Portico and on the ground floor, alongside Walbrook Hall, the Old Servants Hall and the Gold and Silver Vaults.

Living inside Mansion House

The living quarters of the resident Lord Mayor and family are located on the second floor. I was invited into the Lady Mayoress’ Sitting Room, where we photographed the late Lady Mayoress Elisabeth Mainelli. ‘Late’ means outgoing: Elisabeth, pictured here, has been a dynamic Lady Mayoress in 2023-2024, alongside the ‘late’ Lord Mayor Michael Mainelli.

Asked what it’s like to live in Mansion House, Elisabeth Mainelli commented: “It’s surprisingly comfortable and you are made to feel welcome here. There is always someone to deal with any issue and help. I describe it to friends as ‘a one-bedroom flat’, but was delighted to discover there are two bathrooms! The Sitting Room is the living room, where I have my desk to plan menus and seating plans. The kitchen is small, more of a kitchenette, and the Lord Mayor has his own Dressing Room. There is a private dining room along the corridor, next to the Morning Room. Also on the private floor are the Old Ballroom and two State Bedrooms to host visiting dignitaries.

The Team at Mansion House

What support is there for the Mayoral couple? There is a Steward who runs the household, two Housekeepers who look after the floor and the Lord Mayor has a Footman who looks after his wardrobe. Since the Lord Mayor is usually an Alderman of many years’ standing, it is unusual that children are accommodated at Mansion House. If this is the case, a room is made available.

So who works at Mansion House? Caroline Jack describes the structure as four teams, which she runs as a modern-day Chief of Staff: “The first team is our Private Office, the Private Secretaries, who travel with the Lord Mayor and organise their day-to-day life. They each have individual portfolios, for example the relationship with Europe, the Foreign Office, the Livery and the business sector. The Lord Mayor covers so much travel, so the Private Secretaries are required to cover the whole world. It means he gets exposure to all elements.” Some of the Private Secretaries double up with ceremonial roles, such as the splendidly named Sword Bearer of London, Tim Rolph, and the City Marshal, Philip Jordan.

Next is the Secretariat, who cover ‘the inner workings’.  This includes running the diary, communications (the Lord Mayor gives multiple speeches per day), hospitality and events, and responsibility for the Shrieval team – the Sheriffs who reside at the Old Bailey. The third is the Operations team, including the household, the crucial Works team, who look after the physical building, and security and cleaning. The fourth team is Finance and Administration, responsible for accounts, and manage corporate functions such as risk registers and business planning.

Above the teams sits the Principal Private Secretary, who gives strategic direction and ensures the Mayoral office remains relevant. Jack comments: “The question is what does a modern Mayoral team look like? How are we functional and useful and how do we make best use of an ancient institution? The annual cycle means it’s a lot of work, but you get different characters with each Lord Mayor. It’s been a well-worn rhythm since Dick Whittington in 1397.”

Jack reports to the Chief Executive and Town Clerk of the City of London Corporation, Ian Thomas, since Mansion House is a department within the Corporation: “There is autonomy given to departments. There’s also collaboration, working with policy colleagues and colleagues in the Remembrancer’s team, such as drawing up guest lists.”

The Significance of Mansion House

There are events in the annual cycle of Mansion House of national significance: The Chancellor’s Mansion House Speech, the Easter Banquet, where the Foreign Secretary usually gives an address, the annual Children’s Party and the pinnacle, the Lord Mayor’s Show.

Dominic Reid OBE, Pageantmaster of the Lord Mayor’s Show, describes the central role of Mansion House: “Mansion House is the focus of the Show. It’s the residence from where the Lord Mayor departs to the Royal Courts of Justice to swear fealty (oath of allegiance) to the Sovereign. It is where his guests are invited to watch the Show and the BBC television cameras are placed.” The BBC’s coverage of the Lord Mayor’s Show is the longest-running continuous broadcast in the world, since 1937.

Mansion House during the Lord Mayor's Show

So what happens at Mansion House on the day? “The incoming Lord Mayor starts the day at Guildhall and arrives in State at Mansion House, where he is the last to arrive,” explains Reid. “The pre-procession to Mansion House includes the Guard of Honour, the four carriages with the Lady Mayoress, the late Lord Mayor and the two Sheriffs, followed by the Lord Mayor in the Gold State Coach. This year a special slab has been laid in the pavement in front of Mansion House to show where the Lord Mayor alights.”

At Mansion House the Lord Mayor is greeted by the Pageantmaster, who escorts him to inspect the Guard of Honour, a highlight of the Show. Guests are hosted in the morning and afternoon, on the pavement and balcony and the Marshals of the Show are hosted at the end in the ballroom. “Mansion House is the heart and hub of the Show,” says Reid.

The Lord Mayor’s Show is when the switchover happens between Lord Mayors – rather like 10 Downing Street, but it’s planned in advance and operates like clockwork. The outgoing Lord Mayor exits by the front door and the new Lord Mayor is ready to start work. Welcome Alastair and Florence King to Mansion House.

Visit mansionhouseevents.cityoflondon.gov.uk for guided tours and events enquiries.