Millions around the world have tuned in to watch the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey today.
The momentous occasion saw dozens of well-known faces gather at the Abbey, from TV and music stars like Ant and Dec, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie to notable political figures including US First Lady Jill Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. And Brits watching the ceremony unfold may have recognised another politician who played a significant role in the Abbey.
Conservative MP Penny Mordaunt was seen taking part in an ancient tradition during the Coronation. As Lord President of the Council, Mordaunt was tasked with carrying the Sword of State - a huge weapon representing the King's authority that is four feet long and weighs eight pounds, Politico reports.
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Mordaunt, who previously ran twice for the role of Prime Minister last year before losing out to Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak respectively, said that she was "drawing on all of my military drill experience" for the role, having served in the Royal Navy from 2020 until 2019 before going on to become Secretary of State for Defence. She became the first woman in history to carry the sword for the occasion, which was made for George IV's coronation in 1821.
The tradition saw the Lord President of the Council exchange the Sword of State for the lighter jewel-encrusted Sword of Offering, redeeming it for a bag of one hundred newly-minted 50p pieces bearing the King's effigy. The sword was then blessed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, before Mordaunt carried it to the King and placed it in his right hand.
The ancient custom - modernised in decimalised currency introduced since the last Coronation 70 years ago – forms a traditional part of the ceremony, when a peer used to offer the price of 100 silver shillings in return. The commemorative coins were released by the Royal Mint last month to mark the Coronation and depict Charles wearing a Tudor crown on one side, and on the reverse feature a drawing of Westminster Abbey above the King’s cypher and crown.
Speaking to The Times' Red Box Politics podcast ahead of the ceremony, Mordaunt said she had been "doing some press-ups" in preparation for her sword-carrying role. "The Lord President of the Council is really the chairman of the King’s Privy Council," she explained.
"It used to be the executive for the King, and it still does a lot of business and it’s an important part of our constitution and the authority that we have in Parliament. On the day I am representing the King’s authority, and I am going to be doing a number of things."
She added that she had been practising in rehearsals with weighted replicas and that her experience in the Navy had helped prepare her for standing for long periods of time without fainting. Mordaunt admitted that she felt a "terrible weight of responsibility" with the role, but earned praise on social media for her actions - with Labour MP Emily Thornberry saying she "stole the show".
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