Pop superstar Madonna did not make a surprise appearance at Pride in London on Saturday, despite a flurry of rumours. Speculation was rife that the 67-year-old singer was going to appear at the LGBT+ celebration in London’s Trafalgar Square.
But Pride in London confirmed the talk was all bluster, as they announced on Instagram that she would not be joining them on the main stage. It is understood that there had been communication between organisers and Madonna but that she was never a confirmed attendee. Some people in Trafalgar Square were wearing Madonna T-shirts amid rumours that the “Queen of Pop” would make an appearance.
Thousands March for LGBTQ+ Rights
Earlier today, thousands of activists marched through London in the capital’s LGBT+ Pride parade as campaigners warned rights were “being taken away from trans people”. Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan was among those at the front of the Pride in London march on Saturday and led activists in a chant of “Happy Pride”.
More than a million people were expected to head into London for the celebrations, with organisers saying more than 35,000 marchers from more than 600 groups were taking part in the procession running from Hyde Park Corner to Whitehall Place via Piccadilly. The Metropolitan Police said before the event that there would be “no tolerance of hate crime” as a busy weekend of Pride celebrations takes place in the city.
Performances and Community Spirit
Spectators cheered as floats full of people dancing and speakers playing music drove through central London. Among the musicians to appear in Trafalgar Square were American singer-songwriter Beth Ditto and British performer MNEK. Rumours hinting at Madonna’s appearance were partly fuelled by her past collaboration with MNEK, who worked with her on her thirteenth studio album, Rebel Heart (2015). He took part in writing sessions for the album and co-wrote the track "Hold Tight" alongside Madonna and three other writers.
Pride in London interim chief executive Rebecca Paisis said: “We want 2026 to be the most inclusive Pride in London event yet. Our movement has always been built on many voices becoming one united front — from the people who marched in 1972 to those joining us for the first time this year. That’s where our power lies. As LGBTQ+ people, we’ve never been strangers to adversity, but neither are we strangers to collective action. This year’s campaign is a reminder that whilst the community often faces challenges in isolation, it is by coming together that we can change history.”
Co-founder of Stonewall and LGBT+ activist Lisa Power said: “Adversity is meant to shatter us but it can make us stronger as it did in the 80s. Right now, we have a Government and institutions meant to defend our rights that are attacking trans people’s rights, and the rest of ours will follow.”
