The story goes....
Good Luck is sure to rub off when the groom shakes hands with a Lucky Chimney Sweep who will have a "Lucky Kiss" for the new bride. With the power vested in him by King George II, following a tradition that started about 200 years ago when a London chimney sweep saved the life of the King. The King’s horses were startled by a yapping dog and bolted. The chimney sweep had been the only person brave enough to step out of the crowd and stop the King's out of control horses and carriage.
The King took off his hat and bowed to the humble chimney sweep who had saved his life. By Royal Decree the King proclaimed that all sweeps are good luck bearers and should be treated with respect. Later, when the King’s youngest daughter was to be married, King George sent for the chimney sweep because he believed that the presence of this chimney sweep – perhaps any chimney sweep – would bring good luck and happiness to his daughter in her marriage.
The folklore was established and to this day chimney sweeps are invited to attend weddings and kiss the bride for good luck. The Royal Family have continued the tradition: when the Queen married Prince Philip a chimney sweep was ushered into Buckingham Palace and the Prince was seen to shake his hand (it’s not known whether he – the chimney sweep, not Prince Philip – got to kiss the Queen).
The tradition is, however, much older. Since Roman times, the images of fire and the hearth have been associated with luck - when a new bride inherited the fire irons, she symbolically inherited a home and a new family. It's because of his blackened face and his relationship with hearths and fires that the chimney sweep carries the luck with him wherever he goes, and when you meet him, his luck rubs off onto you.
Coal and soot, again connected with fire and hearths, is also believed to be lucky; when given by a sweep the luck is multiplied. Soldiers have carried small lumps of coal into battle to ensure survival, and sailors kept coal in their pockets while at sea.
Good luck & good fortune from Severn Sweeps