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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.
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. |
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Local
Event Near Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival |
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| London Event |
| Great Christmas Pudding Race 2009 |
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Covent Garden Piazza,
Covent Garden,
WC2E
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2 minutes distance from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
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| 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...
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| London Event |
| The Rise and Fall of Little Voice |
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Vaudeville Theatre,
404
Strand,
WC2R
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2 minutes distance from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
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| 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...
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Local
Hotels Near Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival |
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| London Hotels |
| The Strand Palace |
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372
Strand,
London,
WC2R
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4 minutes distance from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
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| This West End Art Deco hotel right on the Strand and next to Covent Garden is in a fantastic location for accessing central London and ...More...
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| London Hotels |
| Charing Cross |
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The Strand,
London,
WC2N
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5 minutes distance from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
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| 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...
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Local
Entertainment Near Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival |
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3 minutes distance from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
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3 minutes distance from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
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3 minutes distance from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
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Local
Sights and Attractions Near Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival |
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| London Sights and Attractions |
| London Transport Museum |
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Covent Garden Piazza,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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4 minutes distance from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
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| 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...
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| London Sights and Attractions |
| London Transport Museum |
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39
Wellington Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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4 minutes distance from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
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| 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...
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Local
Shopping Near Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival |
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| London Shopping |
| Covent Garden |
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Covent Garden,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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1 minutes distance from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
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| A visit to Covent Garden is a must, whether you intend to shop, sightsee or soak in the carnival atmosphere. The focal point of Covent ...More...
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| London Shopping |
| Trevor Sorbie |
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27
Floral Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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2 minutes distance from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
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| 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...
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Local
Dining Near Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival |
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| London Dining |
| Paul |
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29
Bedford Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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0 minutes distance from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
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| 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...
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| London Dining |
| Clos Maggiore |
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33
King Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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1 minutes distance from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
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| 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...
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Local
Education Near Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival |
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| London Education |
| Courtauld Institute of Art |
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Somerset House,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2R
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8 minutes distance from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
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| 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...
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| London Education |
| King's College Medical School |
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Strand,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2R
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8 minutes distance from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
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| 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...
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Local
Leisure Near Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival |
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| London Leisure |
| The Sanctuary |
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12
Floral Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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2 minutes distance from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
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| 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...
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| London Leisure |
| The Hospital Club |
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24
Endell Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2H
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6 minutes distance from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
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| 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...
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Local
Pubs Near Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival |
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| London Pubs |
| Lamb & Flag |
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33
Rose Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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1 minutes distance from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
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| One of the oldest pubs in London.
Once known as the Bucket of Blood, thanks to the bare-knuckle fights held here, the Lamb & Flag has ...More...
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| London Pubs |
| The Cove |
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1
The Piazza,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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2 minutes distance from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
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| 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...
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Local
Nightlife Near Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival |
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| London Nightlife |
| Madame Jojo's |
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8-10
Brewer Street,
Soho,
London,
W1F
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9 minutes distance from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
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| 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...
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| London Nightlife |
| Kingly Club |
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4a
Upper St Martin's Lane,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2H
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3 minutes distance from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
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| 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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Local
Business Near Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival |
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| London Business |
| Bedford Street Business Centre |
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17-19
Bedford Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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1 minutes distance from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
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| ...More...
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| London Business |
| MLS Meeting and Conference Centre - London Covent Garden Bedford Street |
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17-19
Bedford Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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1 minutes distance from Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
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| ...More...
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