'Pearlies' date back to 1875 when a young orphan, Henry Croft, admiring the pearl button seams on some of the market traders, decided to go one better and cover his entire suit in buttons. With the attention this drew he set about collecting money to help others.
Today, over 40 East End families continue the tradition to raise money for various charities and churches. Each London Borough has a King and Queen, as do the City of London and the City of Westminster. It's a strange London tradition and one that has been kept alive by a few dedicated people, who remain figureheads for the capital's working class communities.
The Harvest Festival is their flagship event with all the Kings and Queens decked out in their shiniest and most elaborate outfits.
Pearly King and Queens Harvest Festival
St Paul's Church, Convent Garden, WC2
8th October 2006
'Pearlies' date back to 1875 when a young orphan, Henry... More
2 minutes walk from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
You're familiar with the egg and spoon race. Well how about the Christmas Pudding Race? Covent Garden Piazza swells with spectators as about 150 contestants ...More
2 minutes walk from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
Jim Cartwright originally wrote this play to show off the singing impersonations of Jane Horrocks, having witnessed them during her warm-up routine for a play ...More
5 minutes walk from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
This famous Grade II listed Victorian railway hotel has been totally refurbished, from the bars and restaurants to all 239 rooms, providing every modern convenience ... More
4 minutes walk from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
After a two-year, £22 million refurbishment the London Transport Museum reopened on 22 November 2007 revealing more exhibition space than before. The museum travels back ... More
4 minutes walk from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
After a two-year, £22 million refurbishment the London Transport Museum reopened on 22 November 2007 revealing more exhibition space than before. The museum travels back ...More
2 minutes walk from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
Sorbie does the celebrities, but prides himself on doing real hair for real people. He has a well earned reputation for great creativity and style ... More
Branches of this cool French cafe abound across the Channel, but this was the first one to open in London. Paul serves epic eclairs, excellent ... More
1 minutes walk from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
This independent culinary gem in the vicinity of Covent Garden’s chain-filled streets provides an endearing glimpse of rural southern France. A cosy, indoor courtyard is ... More
8 minutes walk from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
The Courtauld is one of the most prestigious art schools in the country, affiliated with the Oxbridge system and boasting a huge private location and ... More
8 minutes walk from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
Imperial College London is the foremost medical training faculty in the country but for non-medical graduates wishing for a change of career, King’s is the ... More
2 minutes walk from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
This day spa exclusively for women is a total pampering experience from the minute you step through the door. Located in bustling Covent Garden you'll ... More
6 minutes walk from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
Before it was a hip private members' club designed specifically for the creative industries - complete with bar and dining rooms, cinema, TV and recording ... More
2 minutes walk from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
Overlooking Covent Garden Piazza, the Cove is a world away from the crowds outside. Tucked up in a worn, leather armchair under the pub’s low, ... More
9 minutes walk from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
This
was once a sleazy Soho strip club, as the name suggests, and it really
shows. Deep reds are the dominant colour, with mirrors, booths and
velvet curtains ... More
3 minutes walk from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
The second offering from Irish entrepreneur Dezzi Mc Causland, founder of Soho's famous Kingly Club, is a stunning triumph of glass, chrome and contemporary design ... More
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'Pearlies' date back to 1875 when a young orphan, Henry Croft, admiring the pearl button seams on some of the market traders, decided to go one better and cover his entire suit in buttons. With the attention this drew he set about collecting money to help others.
