Hundreds of travellers from across Britain gathered outside Harrods in Knightsbridge, central London, on Easter Sunday for their annual traditional meet-up, creating crowded scenes in the already busy shopping district. The event, which reportedly happens every year, sees members of the gypsy and traveller community donning glamorous, designer outfits before making the journey into the capital.
The Metropolitan Police maintained a presence among the densely packed crowds, which also featured a large number of young people socialising and loitering in the area. Social media platform TikTok was flooded with videos showing travellers preparing for the event, dressed in high-end fashions such as Canada Goose jackets and Louboutin heels, as well as footage capturing some of the interactions and gathering outside the luxury department store.
One clip from the day depicted three young males running away as two police officers pursued them, although it remains unclear whether those involved were connected to the travellers’ group.
The gathering has long been a source of curiosity for some locals, with one Reddit user remarking: "To say I was bewildered the first time I saw them just congregating outside Harrods would be an understatement. I'm not British and I had no idea about the gypsy culture here. All I saw one fine Saturday afternoon were dozens upon dozens of young people decked out in designer clothes (almost all the guys were wearing Canada Goose and the women, identical Louboutin heels)."
A female traveller who had participated in the meet explained the meetup’s social purpose but expressed disappointment at the changing atmosphere. Speaking on TikTok, she said: "So basically a group of travellers meet up outside the front of Harrods for a chat. Come from god knows where. Years ago people used to chat, but now people think their own s**t don't stink and will look you up and down. There's no point going, no one socialises any more. But yeah, I had a lovely time yesterday because I went with the right company."
The meetups are understood to serve as opportunities for socialising and matchmaking within the traveller community. Last year, a traveller named Suzy shared insights on TikTok about how these events, including others at places like Thorpe Park and Winter Wonderland, can be occasions to seek out romantic partners.
"How to get yourself a traveller man… first you've got to go to a meet," Suzy explained, before listing some of the common gathering locations: "It'll happen a few times a year… Thorpe Park for Fright Night, standing outside Harrods near Christmas, Winter Wonderland. Those are just a few that's coming up. Go to one of them places and make sure you're dressed up to the nines, and I mean dressed up. Your furry sliders out, your fake Louboutins."
She also advised women to wear heavy makeup and to use flirtatious glances to attract potential partners, according to The Sun.
In December, similar events took place at Winter Wonderland, another growing tradition for the traveller community, drawing large numbers and earning comparisons to the famous Appleby Horse Fair. Influencer Mary Kate Jones posted a "get ready with me" video on TikTok, showcasing her glamorous outfit sourced from retailers such as Zara and Shein. Ms Jones also voiced frustration over perceived discrimination, claiming, "They don't like us going to pubs or you can't even go into Harrods - you'll get stopped on the door. They won't let you go into Harrods but they'll let non-Travellers go in. It's just crazy. So literally we're chucked out in the cold like dogs."
Both Harrods and the Metropolitan Police have been contacted for comment regarding the Easter gathering. The event continues to draw attention due to the striking contrast between the travellers’ festive meets and the upscale London locations where they converge.
Source: Noah Wire Services