In 1994 the Covent Garden Area Trust inaugurated a ceremony for the payment of five red apples and five posies of flowers, ‘reminiscent of a time when they were actually sold in the market’, to freeholders for land leased to the Trust.  In 2026 the Ceremony took place on 2 July, starting at 4.30 p.m.

A procession consisting of a town crier, the Mayor of Westminster and the Deputy Mayor of Camden, two stilt walkers, a Punch and Judy professor, a Charlie Chaplin look-alike, and a jazz band progressed around the market, stopping at various points where the town crier repeated his proclamation, finishing in the North Hall where speeches were made.

However, no apples or posies were presented, instead two bags each containing a box of posy and apple shaped biscuits were presented to two representatives of the freeholders.  An organiser explained that although apples and posies are presented in most years, ‘unusually’ in 2026 biscuits were presented instead.  It’s unknown why this change was made.