Penny Mordaunt: Who carried the sword at King Charles’ coronation?

Penny Mordaunt, Chief of the Home of Commons and Lord President of the Privy Council, was the shock star of King Charles III’s coronation along with her fierce outfit and stoney-faced sword-bearing.

Mordaunt on Saturday 6 Might turned the primary lady to hold the sword of state – an emblem of the brand new king’s authority – through the procession at Westminster Abbey.

Her half within the ceremony included carrying the heavy sword for a full 51 minutes, which weighs eight kilos (3.6kg), earlier than exchanging it for the jewelled sword of providing and presenting that to Charles. Mordaunt saved a severe face and didn’t break a sweat whereas she was watched by hundreds of individuals.

Learn our reside protection of the coronation weekend right here.

As a part of an historical customized, Mordaunt then “purchased again” the glittering sword – a part of the brand new King’s regalia or assortment of objects which symbolise his tasks as monarch – from the Archbishop of Canterbury in alternate for 100 newly-minted 50p items bearing an effigy of Charles.

Her look on the crowning ceremony impressed royal followers on Twitter, with one particular person questioning: “Who had ‘Penny Mordaunt overshadowing all the things’ on their bingo card?”

Tony Blair’s former spin physician, Alastair Campbell, tweeted through the occasion: “Don’t let anybody ever say I by no means say something optimistic about Tories . . . I’m in awe of Penny Mordaunt’s arm and shoulder power!”

Mordaunt addressed her function within the coronation on Twitter, the place she wrote: “Honoured to be a part of the #coronation with hundreds of others who performed their half. I’m very conscious that our armed forces, law enforcement officials and others have been marching or standing for hours as a part of the ceremony or to maintain us all protected. As compared, my job was relatively simpler.

“Enormous and heartfelt due to all who made this so outstanding. I’m so happy with you all and the King and Queen immediately.”

Mordaunt beforehand informed Matt Chorley on Occasions Radio that she had been doing press-ups forward of the large day and had practised utilizing a weighted reproduction.

Followers of Mordaunt have additionally pointed to the irony of her viral second on the coronation given her day job because the Chief of the Home of Commons – a task given to her by former Prime Minister Liz Truss, typically given to MPs to maintain them “quiet”. And, as President of the Privy Council, she turned the primary lady in UK historical past to proclaim a brand new monarch.

In honour of her show-stealing sword bearing, right here’s all the things it’s essential know concerning the senior UK politician:

What was Penny Mordaunt carrying to the coronation?

The politician wore a teal caped gown designed by luxurious ready-to-wear model Safiyaa, embroidered with a fern motif, which is a nod to the privy council. The teal color, referred to as “Poseidon”, is a reference to her Portsmouth constituency. She arrived carrying ballerina flats, with studded bows and later become a pair of nude stilettos.

A supply informed The Sunday Occasions final month: “She is paying for [her outfit] herself as there isn’t any price range for it, and no query that any taxpayers’ cash ought to be spent on it. Penny has stated that after the coronation she may promote it and use the cash to fund future uniforms for ladies.”

Followers of fantasy TV and movie, like Recreation of Thrones to Star Wars watchers, grew excited on social media, evaluating her look to a fictional warrior princess in “gladiator robes”.

Mordaunt’s political profession

Mordaunt has served as member of Parliament for Portsmouth North since 2010.

In 2015, she was appointed Minister for the Armed Forces – making her the primary lady to ever maintain this place in authorities. She was additionally the primary lady to be appointed Secretary of State for Defence in 2019, after Mordaunt changed Gavin Williamson.

The appointment lasted 85 days, after Boris Johnson eliminated her from the place after he turned prime minister.

The 50-year-old politician was chosen Chief of the Home of Commons and Lord President of the Privy Council, a proper physique of advisers to the sovereign, on 6 September 2022.

Following Boris Johnson’s resignation as Prime Minister over the Partygate scandal final July, Mordaunt launched her bid to turn into the chief of the Conservative Celebration – ultimately shedding to Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss within the fifth spherical.

After Truss resigned, the PM hopeful as soon as once more introduced her candidacy however failed to achieve the required endorsement of 100 MPs.

Household life

Mordaunt was born in Torquay on 4 March 1973. Her father John Mordaunt served within the Parachute Regiment earlier than turning into a instructor and youth employee. Mordaunt’s mom was a particular wants instructor and died from breast most cancers when she was 15. She has a twin brother James and a youthful brother Edward.

The Tory politican, who was commissioned into the Royal Naval Reserve, stated she was named after Navy Cruiser HMS Penelope.

Throughout her early years, Mordaunt labored in a Johnson & Johnson manufacturing facility and was a magician’s assistant to Will Ayling, previous president of the Portsmouth Magical Society and of The British Ring.

Mordaunt met her ex-husband Paul Murray whereas she was finding out philosophy on the College of Studying. The couple bought married in 1999 earlier than divorcing the next 12 months.

Making a Splash!

In 2014, Mordaunt appeared on the ITV present Splash!. A video of her belly-flopping into her pool through the present went viral on-line, after she introduced she was working for prime minister final 12 months.

Learn our reside protection of the coronation weekend right here.