Penny Mordaunt, the Tory MP who is the Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Privy Council, has found herself at the centre of the nation’s interest thanks to a bold outfit, and impressive upper body strength at the Coronation of King Charles III.
Thanks to her role at the top of the Privy Council, Mordaunt played a central role in the Coronation of King Charles III, which began as she walked the 17th-century Sword of State down Westminster Abbey’s aisle at the opening of the ceremony. It marks the first time a woman has held the sword, which is also used for the State Opening of Parliament.
The towering, silver-gilt sword boasts the moulds of a lion and unicorn and features a crimson red velvet covering. During the service, it was blessed by the Archbishop of Canterbury before Mordaunt presented it to the King. Afterward, the sword was placed on the altar before being redeemed by the MP, who drew it before continuing to hold it for the duration.
Morduant went on to present the regalia to the King during the investiture and crowning ceremony, and then lead him holding the sword back through the Abbey.
Much attention has been focused on the sartorial decision-making Mordaunt made for the occasion. The regal, teal-shade caped dress, which came with golden ferns embroidered as well as a matching hat, has been long in the making. She finished her look with nude suede block heels and a pair of hefty, drop pearl earrings.
Speaking to Politico in an interview last week, Mordaunt explained she “felt it wasn’t right” to opt for sombre black on the celebratory day, and instead aimed “to come up with something that is modern and will give a firm nod to the heritage.”
To “feminize” her outfit, she entrusted London expert embroidery Hand and Lock, whose wide breadth of outputs stretch from military garb to embroideries for Netflix hit series Bridgerton and Burberry fashion shows.
