Penny Mordaunt acting as sword bearer
Penny Mordaunt sent Twitter into overdrive today with her Coronation role.
The Lord President of the Council presented the Jewelled Sword of Offering to the King during the ceremony.
The intricate tapered sword, made for George IV’s 1821 coronation, has a hilt encrusted with diamonds, rubies and emeralds and a scabbard decorated with jewelled roses, thistles and shamrocks.
It symbolises royal power and being able to decide between good and evil, and the monarch accepting his duty and knightly virtues.
Commons leader Ms Mordaunt, who looked glamorous in a custom-embroidered teal oufit with gold ferns, quickly started trending on Twitter during the ceremony.
Columnist Ayesha Hazarika said: “I feel this is Penny Mordaunt’s big day and I’m okay with that.”
Journalist Tom Harwood commented: “Penny Mordaunt was made for moments like this!”
Former BBC presenter Simon McCoy said: “Penny Mordaunt would be a great King #Sword.”
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Councillor Joe Porter added: “Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons, Penny Mordaunt, carrying the Sword of Destiny. A magnificent sight!”
Ms Mordaunt even drew praise from Sir Tony Blair’s former spin doctor Alastair Campbell.
Mr Campbell said: “Don’t let anyone ever say I never say anything positive about Tories …. I am in awe of Penny Mordaunt’s arm and shoulder strength!”
Journalist Christopher Hope said Ms Mordaunt had “played an absolute blinder”.
Royal commentator Richard Eden said: “Doesn’t Penny Mordaunt look magnificent.”
Broadcaster Dan Wootton joked about the weight of the sword, saying: “What a shift from Penny Mordaunt. Finally she gets to put the sword down. Get her in the Olympics.”
In a further tweet, he added: “And now she’s back at it! Penny Mordaunt deserves a massive slice of quiche later #Shift #Sword #Coronation.”
Researcher Gabriel Milland said: “Penny Mordaunt – global breakout superstar.”
The Women2Win campaign group said: “What a role model! Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons, Penny Mordaunt, carrying the Sword of Destiny.”
Ms Mordaunt presented the sword to Charles, becoming the first woman in history to do so.
It was briefly clipped to the King’s sword belt and then after a proclamation by the Archbishop, the monarch forward and offer up the sword.
It was then placed on the altar and redeemed with “redemption money” by Ms Mordaunt.
The sword was then drawn and she carried it in its “naked” form – without its scabbard – before the monarch for the rest of the service.
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