‘Pippa of the coronation’: World swoons over Penny Mordaunt

King Charles and Queen Camilla were supposed to be the focus of the coronation, though viewers found their eyes straying elsewhere.

British politician Penny Mordaunt played an unexpected starring role in the coronation broadcast.

King Charles and Queen Camilla were the central focus of Saturday’s coronation, but viewers frequently found their eyes straying elsewhere: towards a potential future prime minister of the United Kingdom.

Conservative politician Penny Mordaunt featured prominently during the ceremony in her role as Lord President of the Privy Council, which required her to carry the Sword of State, and to hand Charles the Jewelled Sword of Offering. She was the first woman in history to do so.

The Sword of State, which dates back to the 1600s and is also used during the state opening of Britain’s parliament, is 121 centimetres long and weighs 3.5 kilograms. Ms Mordaunt, 50, had to hold it aloft at a right angle from her body for long stretches of the two-hour event.

Penny Mordaunt carrying the Sword of State. Picture: Victoria Jones/Getty Images

Ms Mordaunt hands King Charles the Jewelled Sword of Offering. Picture: Victoria Jones/Getty Images

The Tory politician is a potential future prime minister. Picture: Yui Mok/Getty Images

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Her feat of upper body strength earned admiration from viewers, some of her political opponents among them. So did her stylish appearance, which contrasted strikingly with the parade of older, largely robed men around her.

Ms Mordaunt wore a bespoke teal dress and cape from London-based label Safiyaa, and a matching hat designed by Jane Taylor.

The outfit was embroidered with gold ferns, a “feminised” reference to the traditional Privy Council uniform, and its colour was described as “Poseidon”, a nod to her constituency in the seaside city Portsmouth.

Ms Mordaunt arriving. Picture: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

Her role as Lord President of the Privy Council landed her in the spotlight. Picture: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images

Ms Mordaunt at the centre of proceedings with the Archbishop of Canterbury (right).

“Got to say it, Penny Mordaunt looks damn fine! The sword bearer steals the show,” said Emily Thornberry, a Labour MP, prompting her amused followers to ask whether her Twitter account had been “hacked”.

“The Penny is mightier than the sword,” said another Labour MP, Chris Bryant.

Ms Mordaunt also impressed the American singer Courtney Love, who said she was “obsessed” with the Tory politician.

“I’m now obsessed with Penny Mordaunt,” said Ms Love.

“Obsessed! I couldn’t take my eyes off her.”

Author Caitlin Moran joked that Ms Mordaunt and her sword were “the ‘Pippa Middleton’s Bum’ of the coronation”, reminding viewers of Princess Catherine’s wedding and her sister’s attention-grabbing dress.

The British press echoed that thought, with The Telegraph and The Guardian both labelling Ms Mordaunt “the Pippa Middleton of the coronation”, while The Daily Mail’s royal editor anointed her “the ‘Pippa’s bum’” of the event.

What a shift from Penny Mordaunt. Finally she gets to put the sword down.
Get her in the Olympics 👏🏻#Coronationpic.twitter.com/GhepTNYTtR

— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) May 6, 2023

A moment, if you will, for Penny Mordaunt wielding a big ass sword. pic.twitter.com/kqpaCTB09m

— Mikey Smith (@mikeysmith) May 6, 2023

This might all be a bit much but Penny Mordaunt is absolutely serving it as sword bearer.

She wins this week’s runway challenge.#Coronationpic.twitter.com/SscdKPdlJS

— Paul Maddock (@Lgbt_lawyer) May 6, 2023

Penny Mordaunt has done extraordinarily well holding a sword for all that time. What a privilege for her and exceptionally well done. Surely a future PM? #Coronationpic.twitter.com/yW80xL6IGj

— Christopher Golds (@chrisgolds) May 6, 2023

On a lighter note, Penny Mordaunt was absolutely magnificent. Aside from the music and Princess Charlotte’s gorgeous dress, a stand-out star. Definitely the ‘Pippa’s bottom’ of the #Coronation !https://t.co/m9jcf6MOri

— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) May 6, 2023

British Twitter today pic.twitter.com/L6ieiNKOkI

— Martin F. Robbins (@mjrobbins) May 6, 2023

Ms Mordaunt is currently Leader of the House of Commons in parliament, and previously served as Britain’s defence minister. She twice ran for the Conservative Party’s leadership in 2022, losing to Liz Truss and then to the current Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. However her showing was strong enough in both instances to make her a future contender.

Her role in the coronation required less politicking, though according to Ms Mordaunt, there was some training involved.

“It’s drawing on all of my military drill experience,” she joked to Politico before the event, alluding to her time as a reservist in the Royal Navy.

“I will be carrying the Sword of State, which is the heaviest sword, so I’ve been doing some press-ups to train for that,” she quipped to The Times’ Red Box podcast.

“It has to be carried at right angles to the body – hence the need to do press-ups – pointing upwards, out in front of you, for some time. We practised with some replicas that were weighted. And it’s a huge honour to do it.”

Ms Mordaunt further joked that her experience as a reservist had trained her in the art of “standing for long periods of time” without fainting.

Quite a contrast.

Those are Charles’ feet in the middle behind her. Picture: Andrew Matthews/Getty Images

In a social media post after the ceremony, she struck a humble note.

“Honoured to be part of the coronation with thousands of others who played their part,” Ms Mordaunt wrote.

“I’m very aware that our armed forces, police officers and others have been marching or standing for hours as part of the ceremony to keep us all safe. In comparison, my job was rather easier.

“Huge and heartfelt thanks to all who made this so remarkable. I’m so proud of you all and the King and Queen today.”

That sparked one final moment of appreciation for her fashion sense, courtesy of the broadcaster Rylan Clark, who is set to host the BBC’s Eurovision coverage in a few days and replied: “Can I have your cape for Eurovision please?”