The Pearly Kings and Queens of London! Capital’s famous fundraisers descend on city in their glittering buttoned outfits to mark annual Harvest Festival celebrations
The pearly white kings and queens of London! Capital’s famous fundraisers come to town in their glittering button-up outfits to mark the annual Harvest Festival celebration
- The sparkling tradition started more than a century ago as a way to raise money
Famed fundraisers from the Pearly Kings and Queens Society descended on London today in their glittering button-up outfits for their annual Harvest Festival celebrations.
Members of the charity were seen dressed in black jackets adorned with the classic white buttons that sparkled in the sun.
The tradition of the Pearly Kings and Queens was started in the 19th century by Henry Croft, who was born on May 24, 1861 in a Victorian workhouse.
As a young man working to raise money for other orphans, Henry began wearing a suit decorated with distinctive buttons to attract attention and increase donations.
His smart thinking proved so successful that other charities soon asked for his help and the association of Pearly Kings and Queens was born.
The famous Pearly Kings and Queens Society fundraisers came to London today in their glittering button-up outfits (pictured)
Fndraisers danced around the maypole today for the festival in London
Children also dressed up today to support the Harvest Festival service at the Guildhall in London
Paula Hemsley, Pearly Queen of Harrow walked with her grandchildren during the festival
Today the tradition is still passed down through families, and the streets of London are often filled with rays of selfless charity.
The Pearly Kings and Queens gathered in Guildhall Square today as they paraded to St Mary-le-Bow Church to celebrate the harvest festival.
Many mayors and sheriffs were on hand throughout the day to celebrate the tradition that dates all the way back to Victorian times.
Huge lines of fundraisers were seen dressed from head to toe in bejeweled outfits as they marched through the city for a good cause.
The tradition started more than a century ago as a way to raise money and add a touch of gaiety and cheek to ordinary life in London.
Pearly Kings and Queens have become icons of working-class culture, with ‘royal families’ in every district of the capital.
A fundraiser looked delighted as she supported the festival in a dazzling hat
The tradition started over a century ago as a way to raise money and add a touch of gaiety and cheek to ordinary life in London
Pearly Kings and Queens have become icons of working-class culture
The fundraisers’ jackets were decorated with sparkling words at the festival today