Mayor of London to use historical coat of arms

The mayor of London has been granted permission to use the coat of arms that once belonged to the Greater London Council (GLC).

The King issued the warrant to the Greater London Authority (GLA) last week after Sir Sadiq Khan submitted a petition to request use of the coat of arms in February.

The coat of arms depicts six blue and white waves, representing London's location on the River Thames, and a gold Saxon crown on a red background, representing the city's Saxon origins and the historic county of Middlesex.

The coat of arms was first granted to the GLC in October 1966, but was left unused when the GLC was abolished in 1986.

A spokesperson for the GLA said the decision marked "an important moment as we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the GLA" and "recognised the important history of devolved government in the capital".

The GLC, which previously used the coat of arms, was dissolved by the Local Government Act 1985, after multiple clashes between its leader Ken Livingstone and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Most municipal authorities have a coat of arms, but the GLA did not apply for one when it was created in 2000.

To get a coat of arms, authorities must apply to the College of Arms, which manages matters of heraldry in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Any major decision made by the college must be announced by the King.

The idea of reviving the GLC's coat of arms was first suggested by former London Assembly member Tom Copley in 2020, who was supported at the time by Conservative Assembly member Tony Arbour.

Mr Copley, who is now deputy mayor for housing, said on X that the decision was "a wonderful 25th anniversary gift for the GLA".

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