Freedom of the City of London

The Freedom of the City of London is a recognition awarded to people who have achieved success, recognition or celebrity in their chosen field. Honorary Freedom of the City of London is a recognition of lifetime achievement or high international standing, and is much rarer than the broader Freedom of the City.

Whilst undoubtedly a privilege, strict instructions are given that the Freedom of the City of London should not be presented to others as being an honour or award. The Freedom of the City of London can be gained through membership of a livery company or by direct application supported by a suitably qualified proposer and seconder. After approval by the Court of Aldermen, Freemen are admitted by the Clerk to the Chamberlain of the City of London during a ceremony at Guildhall. A certificate is presented to the recipient.

There is a long-standing tradition of the City admitting women to the Freedom. Although they are nowadays usually called Freemen as well, the historically correct term is Free Sisters.

Freedom of the City of London is a pre-requisite for standing for election to the Common Council[1] and Court of Aldermen[2] of the City of London, and therefore also required by the Sheriffs and Lord Mayor of the City, as they must first become aldermen.

List of Freemen

The mixed list below contains just some of the names of people who have received the Freedom or Honorary Freedom over the years. Dates of awards are shown in brackets.

Royal Family members

Prime ministers of the United Kingdom

Victoria Cross and George Cross recipients
This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Foreign royalty
This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Presidents of the United States of America

International leaders

Entrepreneurs and academics

Archbishops of Canterbury, York and London

Religious leaders

Diplomats

Entertainment and the arts

Historically notable Britons

Other notable recipients

Honorary Freedom

The granting of the Honorary Freedom of the City of London (or Freedom Honoris Causa) is extremely rare and generally awarded today only to royalty, heads of state, or figures of genuine global standing. It is the greatest honour that is in the power of the City of London to bestow, and usually takes place in Guildhall in the presence of the Common Council and the lord mayor, sheriffs, and aldermen, along with invited guests.

The most recent recipient, after a gap of some eleven years, was Archbishop Desmond Tutu, with the ceremony taking place at Mansion House in 2013. In 1996 Nelson Mandela, as President of South Africa, received the same honour. The presentation on such occasions is made by the Chamberlain of London, and is often followed by a banquet at Guildhall or Mansion House. Historically, the first personage to be so honoured was William Pitt the Elder in 1757. However, there are also records of the presentation of such in May 1698 to Philemon Philip Carter, son of Nathaniel Carter (goldsmiths) in the "Freedom of the City Admission Papers" 1681-1930. For many years it was the custom to present the Freedom in specially commissioned and unique gold or silver caskets, the design of which was inspired by the background and the achievements of the individual to which it was presented. More normal today would be to present the honour in the form of a scroll in an inscribed box.

References
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  2. https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/assets/About-the-website/alderman-qualification-guidance.pdf
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John Scott England Freedom of the City Admission Papers

Further reading
  • London's Roll of Fame: Being Complimentary Notes and Addresses from the City of London, on Presentation of the Honorary Freedom of that City, and on Other Occasions, to Royal Personages, Statesmen etc. The City of London Corporation, Benjamin Scott (ed.), 1884

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