The combination of a televised national event and people glued to social media generates breakout stars at any event, and Saturday’s coronation was no different, with Penny Mordaunt and Princess Anne battling it out for the title of who had caught Twitter’s eye the most.
Some suggested that after Mordaunt’s failed bid to become Conservative leader, Liz Truss’s attempt to shuffle her away from the limelight had bitterly backfired.
The most hilarious part of the #Coronation.
— Charlie Proctor (@MonarchyUK) May 6, 2023
Liz Truss made Penny Mordaunt Lord President of the Council to keep her out of the spotlight.
She has spent most of the day carrying a giant sword in front of millions, so that turned out well. https://t.co/nBkZxVYtZ2 pic.twitter.com/z1VKsDxRta
Truss was, of course, there herself. Her perpetual attendance at events like this alongside the likes of John Major, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown will be a reminder for the rest of her life that she was the shortest-serving prime minister in British history.
Penny Mordaunt has now been holding that sword longer than Liz Truss was Prime Minister.
— John Bull (@garius) May 6, 2023
There were also concerns about where Mordaunt might threaten to run amok next.
As per Royal Tradition dating back to the 1470s, in service of her King, Penny Mordaunt will now raise a Private army and invade Suffolk pic.twitter.com/ggP7SmthP0
— Tom Jamieson (@jamiesont) May 6, 2023
It was a close call on VAR.
Penny Mordaunt is offside… pic.twitter.com/DjHMTvWMpr
— Rob Jeffries (@RobJeffries) May 6, 2023
Given Mordaunt’s famous turn on the diving talent contest Splash!, it was inevitable that a prominent role in a coronation carrying a sword was going to invite comparisons with the mythical Lady of the Lake.
Her work done, the sword passed to the one undoubted King, the lady returns to the lake. #Coronation #PennyMordaunt pic.twitter.com/WA7lNRj85l
— Angry People in Local Newspapers (@angrypiln) May 6, 2023
Mordaunt had commissioned her own dress for the day, but people thought they’d spotted some subtle sponsorship at play.
I see Penny Mordaunt is giving @Poundland free advertising today. pic.twitter.com/kvKSBIZBUc
— FrankChickens (@FrankChickens_) May 6, 2023
Princess Anne’s costume was Mordaunt’s main rival for attention, with some people seeing it as having an air of going into battle in the 18th century.
Princess Anne ready to defeat napoleon should the need arise.#Coronation pic.twitter.com/g7tE71BGdG
— z (@JRsArmchair) May 6, 2023
It is a bit early for panto season though.
“Princess Anne is appearing in Dick Whittington at the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford.”#Coronation pic.twitter.com/oxRyJ2PZo6
— Neil Norman And His Cosmic Orchestra (@FubsyShabaroon) May 6, 2023
If you were on Team William and Kate, rather than Team Harry and Meghan, then there was excitement that Princess Anne’s strategically placed feather was obscuring the Duke of Sussex in television footage.
Oh, dear! Last time, #PrinceHarry was obscured by a huge candle 🕯 This time, by Princess Anne's hat. #Coronation pic.twitter.com/x3dGILZquk
— Richard Eden (@richardaeden) May 6, 2023
It recalled the role a candle had played at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in obscuring the presence of Harry’s wife Meghan.
Hooray for that brilliantly strategically placed candle #meghan #QueenElizabethIIMemorial pic.twitter.com/6g6hZ8VYJG
— RMNTabbs (@RmnTabbs) September 19, 2022
This photo showed though that were at least some nice moments between Harry and his aunt.
A lovely photo of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Princess Anne chatting #Coronation pic.twitter.com/3Wm23Fp1oD
— Jordon-Lee (@JordonLee) May 6, 2023
Fans of Monty Python also had a moment in the sun, when they appeared to spot the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch from the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
And the Lord spake, saying, "First shalt thou take out the Holy Pin... Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who, being naughty in My sight, shall snuff it. pic.twitter.com/SmDQT7oWfB
— Wolf, guess what my username elsewhere is :-) (@wolfcat) May 6, 2023
For viewers of a certain age, the seemingly endless procession of regalia being passed to the king and queen reminded them of the conveyer belt on a Saturday gameshow that has long been off our screens.
Loving this royal version of the Generation Game conveyer belt.
— Andy C (@Cunning766) May 6, 2023
The Stone of Destiny, the Bracelets of Protection, the Spurs of Valour...
Just waiting for them to wheel out the Fondu Set of Fairness, the Mini Hi-Fi of High-Mindedness.
The Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch pic.twitter.com/m2jPlXXq3H
The contribution of Prince Louis to the day did not go unnoticed by social media users either, particularly the way he was dressed as either Luke Skywalker or James Bond, depending on your preferred take.
Nice of them to let Prince Louis come in his Return of the Jedi fancy dress #Coronation pic.twitter.com/ddDGhcKsq5
— Timothy Saxby (@TimxSaxby) May 6, 2023
Prince Louis has the Coronation at 11 and James Bond audition at 5 #Coronation pic.twitter.com/PAG6YRwYGN
— c h a r l i e 🖤 (@charlougray) May 6, 2023
And finally …
The "Give me strength" of it all from Louis 🤣 #Coronation pic.twitter.com/pHoPd9kPze
— Vee🐝 (@veefeeley) May 6, 2023
