In recent years they have doubled as more influential political roles while retaining the ceremonial functions.
Traditionally mayors and provosts have been elected by town, borough and city councils.
In England, where a borough or a city is a local government district or a civil parish, the mayor is elected annually by the council from their number and chairs meetings of the council with a casting vote.
The right to appoint a lord mayor is a rare honour, even less frequently bestowed than city status.
(Bristol styles its lord mayor "Right Honourable" instead, but this usage is without official sanction.