Westminster’s lord mayor ‘from endz’ enjoys jubilee concert with royal family

WESTMINSTER’S youngest-ever lord mayor was spotted behind the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Platinum Jubilee concert, writes Hannah Neary.

Hamza Taouzzale was pictured in the royal box at Buckingham Palace behind the royal couple, and their children Princess Charlotte and Prince

George last Saturday (4).

Councillor Taouzzale, 23, who is also Westminster city council’s first-ever Muslim and BAME lord mayor, has featured in a Stormzy music video.

He was elected in May after the Conservatives lost control of the authority for the first time.

During the concert, which was viewed by 13 million people, Taouzzalle: “Having a great time with Cllr Iman Less at the #PlatinumPartyatthePalace just behind Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Happy #PlatinumJubileeCelebration everyone!”

He later said: “What an honour to be able to represent the people of Westminster at both the Jubilee concert and the pageant! Was amazing to be sitting right next to the royal family too!”

The Labour politician, who appeared to be enjoying the show, invited fellow councillor Iman Less to join him for the evening. The pair were given two of the best seats in the house and sat in front of prime minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie.

Taouzzalle grew up on the Lisson Green estate – the largest in Westminster – and studied politics at Goldsmiths University. He has been dubbed a mayor “from endz” and hailed as “the people’s lord mayor” by his fellow councillors. He first got involved with Westminster city council at the age of 16, and became a member of the youth parliament. He was inspired to get into politics after seeing injustices on his estate, where he has lived with his family since his grandmother moved from Morocco. He holds top positions across London and has his own seat at Westminster Abbey. His duties include charity work and he will travel to Norway to pick and cut down the famous Christmas Tree for Trafalgar Square this year. (Local Democracy Reporting Service)

■ A Jubilee e con is seen from th quadrangle at Windsor Castle last Thursday (2). More ha 2,800 beaco s wer lit at Buckingham alac across the UK, including atop the four highest peaks, as well as on the Channel Isl nds, the Isle of Man, an British Overseas Territories, with flaming tributes in 54 Commonwealth capitals across five continents

■ Princess Charlotte and Prince George react during the Platinum Party at Buckingham Palace last Saturday (4), while councillors Hamza Taouzzale and Iman Less, and prime minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie are pictured behind them

■ Typhoon fighter jets from the Royal Air Force fly in formation to form the number ‘70’ duing a flypast following the Trooping the Colour, as part of the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations, in central London last Thursday (2)

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■ The Duchess of Cambridge with Prince Louis, the Queen and Princess Charlotte as they watch a flypast from the Buckingham Palace balcony last Thursday (2)

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■ Home secretary Priti Patel leaves after the National Service of Thanksgivin at St Paul’s Cathedral last Friday (3) in London