Crowning the Queen of Dalston

Article in the East London Advertiser

On the 22nd March 2009, Jodie was crowned the Pearly Queen of Dalston. Jodie is just 10 years old and is the youngest Pearly Queen to be crowned. The crowning was held at the Carpenters Arms in Cambridge Heath Road in the heart of Bethnal Green in London. A majority of the Pearlies were in attendance and the whole day turned in to a right old cockney knees up. This was the first crowing in the Hitchen family for 37 years and marks a new generation of pearly children who will hopefully continue to this historic London tradition for years to come.

With the Pearly princesses of Hoxton holding the Queens gown as she walked up to the stage, Jodie was blessed by the local chaplin, Reverend Alan Green and presented her crown by the Pearly King of The City of London. All of the Pearlies joined the stage to celebrate crowning of the new Queen. The event itself was featured on London Tonight and also featured in the Hackney Gazette. Our thanks go to the press for helping to raise awareness of this wonderful tradition that is sadly being forgotten by many.

After the ceremony, a traditional sing-a-long was started by the Pearly Queen of Hackney singing “Maybe it’s because I’m a Londoner.” Everyone joined in and took the opportunity to dance and talk with the Pearly Queens, Kings, Prince and Princesses. The Pearlies certainly generated a lot of interest from all the locals and in truly Pearly fashion also managed to raise much needed funds for Richard's House. The evening culminated with a huge plate of jellied eels and cockles as the pearlies hung up their buttons until the next grand event.

The Pearly families would like to thank the Manager and staff of the Carpenters Arms for their warm hospitality, great venue and excellent food.

A special well done to Jodie and may god be with her as she continues to raise money for charity.