One of the great City traditions is welcoming new freemen.  Yesterday it was my privilege to welcome my first while in official attire, Lui Hui.  Lui has been a big help on UK-Asia relations and brought along a great group of friends.  Murray Craig, the Clerk of the Chamberlain’s Court, City of London, gave yet another bespoke, witty and engaging talk, with references to great battles and cricketeers (Lui and the team were off to the Chinese Cricket Club for lunch), as well as former freedoms for Portuguese kings and presidents in honour of Lui’s Macaand Portuguese connections.  We also celebrated the admission of “the youngest freemen” (well, youngest until the next one came in about an hour later) with a traditional glass of Madeira – despite it being 10:30 in the morning.  The glass of Madeira applies even when there are no Portuguese connections!

If you would like to consider the freedom, given a strong connection or love of the City, please do contact the Chamberlain’s office.  And if you want to read more, here is Murray’s wonderful 2011 Gresham lecture – Sheep Across London Bridge – The Freedom of the City of London.