THE LAST PEARLY KING: PEARLIES - A short documentary with George Major, Peckham's Pearly King

George Major is the Pearly King of Peckham, a heritage passed through his mother's lineage. Pearly Kings and Queens are a tradition started in Victorian London by Henry Croft, a Costermonger working the markets in the dirt poor East End of the city. He added pearls to his suit and collected to look after the local community.
The tradition caught on and families of Pearly Kings and Queens started throughout London. Most British people recognise the suits but know little of the reason and the meaning and George has longed to educate the public and make sure his culture does not die out. He is now creating a museum in South East London where he hopes to bring schools and the curious to learn about the poverty that helped to build this tradition.
Here he talks about his own family traumas including the abuse at the hand of his father and maiden aunt, the death of his Pearly Queen and the cowboys that now dress in a Pearly whistle and suit but pocket the money.
The film takes you on a journey through George's life from childhood to now and we talk about whether the culture will carry on through the next generations. Finally, we end up in a good old pub singalong.
Learn about Cockney Slang and Cockney culture in this documentary and discover George's insights in to life.
London is a diverse city full of many different people, constantly evolving and changing. I love to film and meet people from a huge spectrum of the city. Although the old Cockney way of life is different now, Londoners are always creating new special cultures throughout the city unique to London.
George has now finished his museum - you can now visit! Go to The Original Cockney Museum here: www.originalcockneymuseum.com/
Directed and Filmed by Marcus Hessenberg www.marcushessenberg.com

[@bananamilk2605]

Wow. Just discovered this! What a wonderful tradition and lovely man. Keep going, George ♡

[@dollyk8324]

What a lovely, genuine man. Cockneys and pearlies are a dying breed. Which is a sad thing. Great video.

[@ozzie-sk9dh]

Keep going George. You’re a great man.

[@JoyfullyJoy91]

Very touching! Hope this gets more views

[@johnp5515]

Nice documentary, hope it gets the traction it deserves.

[@chchedda]

We need a younger generation to carry on this tradition

[@annemurphy6964]

George Major what a lovely man, you truly are the salt of the earth. God Bless You & Yours.

[@NewLife4GVN]

I just watched George Hitchens in "To Tell The Truth" game show and looked them up. Thank God for Google.

[@bananacrazy]

Well, that made me cry... what a beautiful human being you are George 💜👑

[@sleeplessdreamer1814]

Thank God for the Irises and Alfa of the world. ❤

[@jane.c.c]

Need more men like George ❤

[@wendiwoo7]

we love everyone