Goa-born Sayonara Luxton has taken charge as the mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in southeast England.
Councillor Luxton, in her 60s, had been serving as the deputy mayor of the area for the past year and was proposed to take over by former mayor Councillor Dee Quick.
"When I left Goa 40 years ago, I could not in my wildest dreams have dreamt that I could hold such a high office. I mean look at me, the mayoral robe was not designed for my stature, but I promise you that I hold the heart and soul and I will give everything," Luxton said, pointing to her petite frame.
"I will be working on a special project in Her Majesty's honour and further details will be released soon," she added.
The Conservative party mayor's chosen charity will be The Household Cavalry and also actively supports the War Horse Memorial, which will be erected in Ascot and will commemorate the 1 million horses that lost their lives during World War I.
Luxton moved from Goa to Dubai at the age of 21 to join other members of her family and had a successful career with Airbus Industries.
She is in her third term as Sunningdale Councillor.
