Honorary Freedom is the highest
honour the City of London can bestow. Honorary freemen do not
apply for but are invited by the Court of Common Council to
take the Freedom. The presentation ceremony usually takes
place in the Great Hall of the Guildhall before the Lord
Mayor, Aldermen, Common Councilmen and invited guests.
The presentation on these occasions is made by the Chamberlain
of London, and is usually followed by a Guildhall or Mansion House
banquet.
Famous Honorary freemen include The Queen, Princess Diana,
Nelson Mandela, Florence Nightingale, General Eisenhower, Theodore
Roosevelt and Winston Churchill.