London's annual Pride parade saw a massive turnout on Saturday, with Mayor Sadiq Khan marching alongside thousands of activists and revelers. The event, which celebrates the LGBT+ community, featured vibrant floats, music, and a significant police presence prioritizing the prevention of hate crimes.
Myleene Klass, a radio presenter, was among the attendees at a Pride lunch, sporting a sheer black corset paired with black trousers and gold Chanel jewelry. She was joined by fellow public figures including Britain's Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon, who wore a cheetah print dress, and actress Claire Sweeney, who opted for a lilac suit. The lunch was hosted by Bimini and Simon Jones.
The Pride in London parade route extended from Hyde Park Corner to Whitehall Place via Piccadilly, with organizers expecting over a million attendees and more than 35,000 participants from over 600 groups. Floats sponsored by companies like Lidl, Tesco, and Ikea, as well as London-based football clubs such as Arsenal, West Ham, and Crystal Palace, were part of the procession.
During the march, advocates raised concerns that rights were "being taken away from trans people." Mayor Khan was seen leading participants in a chant of "Happy Pride."
In parallel with the main parade, Skittles and Queer Britain launched the "Chosen Family Map," an interactive guide highlighting LGBTQ+ history through the lens of chosen families. This initiative offers an alternative route for those wishing to avoid the main parade's crowds, while still including a stop at Trafalgar Square for the concert. Skittles also announced a £100,000 donation to Queer Britain to support its LGBTQ+ archive initiatives.
Pride in London is a volunteer-led organization that has been responsible for the city's Pride parade and events since 2013.