The Conversation (0)
Greg Evans
May 06, 2023
Reuters
Penny Mordaunt, former Tory leadership contender and Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council has gone viral after she played an important part in the coronation of King Charles III.
The MP was presented the Jewelled Sword of Offering to the King after it was blessed by the Archbishop of Canterbury. It was the first time the sword had been carried and presented to the monarch by a woman.
It had been carried into Westminster Abbey by petty officer Amy Taylor, who became the first woman to undertake the duty of carrying the sword into the Abbey after being selected to represent service men and women as a tribute to the King’s military career.
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The sword was placed in the King’s right hand, then clipped onto his girdle and eventually unclipped.
The King then stepped forward and offered the sword to the Dean, who placed it on the altar.
The sword was then “redeemed” by Ms Mordaunt, who placed the redemption money on an alms dish, held by the Dean, before drawing the sword and carrying it in its naked form, without its scabbard.
Although Mordaunt's role is no doubt important people couldn't help but be amused at the sight of her carrying a huge sword. Cue the memes.
\u201cPenny Mordaunt has now been holding that sword longer than Liz Truss was Prime Minister.\u201d— John Bull (@John Bull) 1683368865
\u201cPenny Mordaunt looks great.\u201d— IT'S YOUR DECISION, DANIEL \ud83e\udd47 (@IT'S YOUR DECISION, DANIEL \ud83e\udd47) 1683368135
\u201cA moment, if you will, for Penny Mordaunt wielding a big ass sword.\u201d— Mikey Smith (@Mikey Smith) 1683367190
\u201cHOLY SHIT. Penny Mordaunt was holding that big arse sword so long she frikkin LEVELLED UP and they gave her a new sword.\u201d— John Bull (@John Bull) 1683370483
\u201cWhat a shift from Penny Mordaunt. Finally she gets to put the sword down.\nGet her in the Olympics \ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffb\n#Coronation\u201d— Dan Walker (@Dan Walker) 1683370396
\u201c@paddypower Penny Mordaunt is offside\u2026\u201d— Paddy Power (@Paddy Power) 1683368796
\u201cWho had \u201cPenny Mordaunt overshadowing everything\u201d on their bingo card?\u201d— Dom Joly (@Dom Joly) 1683371525
\u201cThis might all be a bit much but Penny Mordaunt is absolutely serving it as sword bearer. \n\nShe wins this week\u2019s runway challenge.\n\n#Coronation\u201d— Paul Maddock (@Paul Maddock) 1683367547
\u201cPenny Mordaunt dressed like she's about to go stab a Lannister. #coronation\u201d— Tom Donnelly-Sutton \ud83d\udd36\ufe0f\ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\u26aa\ud83d\udd34 (@Tom Donnelly-Sutton \ud83d\udd36\ufe0f\ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\u26aa\ud83d\udd34) 1683370502
There was even a Warhammer joke. Gotta love a Warhammer joke.
\u201cME: Tell me you play Warhammer without telling me you play Warhammer\nPENNY MORDAUNT:\u201d— John Bull (@John Bull) 1683363315
Additional reporting by PA.
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