The Mall /ˈmæl/ is a grand processional route in honour of Queen Victoria, which has seen innumerable historic Royal processions including coronations, state openings of Parliament and state visits. And of course, the fateful funeral of Elizabeth II on Monday 19th September 2022. The Mall began as a field for playing pall-mall. In the 17th and 18th centuries it was a fashionable promenade, bordered by trees. It was envisioned as a ceremonial route in the early 20th century, matching the creation of similar ceremonial routes in other main cities. During King Charles II reign, in 1660 he ordered the redesign of St. James's Park and this included a centerpiece - a straight canal, 2,560ft long and 125ft wide, lined on each side with avenues of trees.
The name is derived from Pelle Melle, a game introduced by King Charles which was traditionally played in St. James's Park. Traffic was permitted on The Mall in 1887. It is now closed to traffic on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and on ceremonial occasions. The surface of The Mall is coloured red to give the effect of a giant red carpet leading up to Buckingham Palace. This colour was devised by chemist Ernest Lovell. It was David Eccles's decision, as Minister of Works from 1951 to 1954, to make The Mall red. The annual London Marathon finishes on The Mall. It was also the start and finish line for the marathon course, the road race and the race walks of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. During the Trooping the Colour events and other big National events, the Mall is used.
