King’s coronation: Tory MP Penny Mordaunt takes the limelight carrying monumental sword
Tory Cabinet member Penny Mordaunt emerged as one of many stars of the coronation as she carried an infinite sword after which introduced one other to the King in the course of the ceremony.
In her function as Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Privy Council, Ms Mordaunt carried the Seventeenth-century Sword of State into Westminster Abbey – the primary time {that a} girl has carried out this function.
She was then introduced with the Jewelled Sword of Offering, a smaller merchandise which is adorned with silver, diamonds, rubies and emeralds.
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The sword, which symbolises royal energy, was blessed by the Archbishop of Canterbury earlier than Mordaunt then introduced it to the King, who took it in his proper hand after which clipped it into his girdle.
The sword was finally returned to Ms Mordaunt, who carried it as she walked forward of the King following his crowning.
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Ms Mordaunt, the MP for Portsmouth North, wore a teal caped gown with gold ferns embroidered into it, in addition to an identical hat.
She used the uniform of the Privy Council to encourage the outfit, utilizing a motif from the court docket gown of the council.
She mentioned forward of the ceremony that she had been exercising particularly to make sure she might maintain the 4ft (1.2m) sword that weighs 8lb (3.6kg) aloft.
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Ms Mordaunt needed to maintain the Sword of State, which usually sits within the Tower of London, upwards at a proper angle from her physique.
Many on social media have been impressed by her stint: TV presenter Dan Walker tweeted “What a shift from Penny Mordaunt. Finally she gets to put the sword down. Get her in the Olympics.”
And Labour shadow minister Emily Thornberry threw apart occasion allegiances, writing: “Got to say it, @PennyMordaunt looks damn fine! The sword bearer steals the show.”