The Pearly Kings and Queens, known for their button-festooned costumes, preserve a charitable tradition that began in the Victorian era and became a symbol of the city’s working-class culture.
“Most Londoners know about the Pearly Kings and Queens,” said John Walters, 75, who holds the title of Pearly King of Finsbury, an area of north London. “I had an elderly lady come up here and she grabbed hold of me and she started crying and said, ‘I’m so pleased to see you’re still around.’ She said, ‘You are London.’”