Penny Mordaunt’s gruelling health regime for sword-carrying function

Penny Mordaunt revealed how she ready for her starring role carrying ceremonial swords at the Coronation.

As Lord President of the Council she was liable for bearing The Sword of State and presenting The Jewelled Sword of Offering to the King – the primary time it has been carried and introduced by a lady.

Dressed in a custom-made teal outfit with an identical cape and headband with gold feather embroidery, she held and carried the items for greater than an hour on the service at Westminster Abbey.

Ms Mordaunt, who can be the Leader of the House of Commons, mentioned she had been doing press-ups in preparation and practising in rehearsals with weighted replicas.

The Portsmouth North MP, who took half within the ITV diving present Splash! in 2014, additionally mentioned her expertise as a Royal Navy Reservist helped put together her for standing for lengthy durations of time with out fainting.

Speaking to The Times’ Red Box Politics podcast forward of the ceremony, Ms Mordaunt mentioned: “The Lord President of the Council is really the chairman of the King’s Privy Council.

“It was the chief for the King, and it nonetheless does a variety of enterprise and it is an vital a part of our structure and the authority that we’ve in Parliament.

“On the day I am representing the King’s authority, and I am going to be doing a number of things.

“One of them will probably be carrying the Sword of State which is the heaviest sword so I’ve been doing a little press-ups to coach for that.

“It has to be carried at right angles to the body, hence the need to do press-ups.

“It’s pointing upwards, holding out in entrance of you, for a while.”

Asked if she was able to practice with the real thing, she said: “We get to practise with some replicas that are weighted.”

On whether her Navy experience was coming in handy, Ms Mordaunt added: “It is, particularly standing for lengthy durations of time not fainting.”

The Tory MP’s practice appeared to have paid off today as she sparked a social media buzz.

Labour MP Emily Thornberry said: “Got to say it, Penny Mordaunt seems rattling nice! The sword bearer steals the present.”

Money Saving Expert’s Martin Lewis asked: “Is Penny Mordant the brand new Pippa Middleton? She has stolen the present!”

Former BBC presenter Simon McCoy mentioned: “Penny Mordaunt could be an ideal King #Sword.”

Labour MP Chris Bryant quipped: “The Penny is mightier than the sword.”

Television presenter Dan Walker added: “What a shift from Penny Mordaunt. Get her within the Olympics.”

Ms Mordaunt carried the 17th-century Sword of State in procession to the abbey.

Later in the ceremony, she exchanged the Sword of State for the Jewelled Sword of Offering and delivered it to the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The second sword was briefly clipped to the King’s sword belt and then after a proclamation by the Archbishop, the monarch stepped forward and offered up the sword.

It was then placed on the altar and redeemed with “redemption cash” by Ms Mordaunt.

The sword was later drawn and she carried it in its “bare” type – with out its scabbard – earlier than the King for the remainder of the service.

The Jewelled Sword of Offering has a hilt encrusted with diamonds, rubies and emeralds and a scabbard adorned with jewelled roses, thistles and shamrocks.

It symbolises royal energy and having the ability to determine between good and evil, and the King accepting his responsibility and knightly virtues.