The then Mayor of the City of Westminster, His Grace The Duke of Norfolk KG, called together a meeting of all the Mayors of the Metropolitan Boroughs (the Inner London Boroughs) to discuss matters of ceremonial procedure with a view to uniformity being adopted by all the Mayors of the Metropolitan Boroughs.

The Metropolitan Mayors and Ex-Mayors’ Association was formed with the purpose of promoting discussion of general matters affecting London and to enable Mayors and former Mayors to meet on a social basis.

All of the Mayors and former Mayors of the other boroughs of what is now Greater London were invited to become members.

As a consequence of the Local Government Act of 1963, London Local Government was reconstituted to include most of Middlesex and parts of Essex, Kent and Surrey. The Mayors of the 31 new London Boroughs plus the Lord Mayors of the City of Westminster and the City of London were entitled to join the Association.

The Association celebrated its Centenary and Her Royal Highness the Princess Alexandra was our guest of honour at the Centennial Annual Dinner. We were also invited to Arundel Castle as guests of the Earl of Arundel, ancestor of our founder the 15th Duke of Norfolk. A reception was also held in St James’s Palace in the presence of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth.