Dress worn by Penny Mordaunt in show-stealing Coronation performance goes on display at Westminster
- The fitted teal dress will be displayed in London for fans until September 2
- READ MORE: All the times royal women across Europe have worn the same dress (and looked equally amazing)
For a limited time, visitors can catch a glimpse of Penny Mordaunt’s show stopping dress from King Charles’ III Coronation in the flesh.
Leader of the UK House of Commons and Lord President of the Privy Council, Penny Mordaunt, 50, was the unexpected star of the King’s Coronation in May, with her dress being the center of attention.
The Conservative MP donned a regal teal dress and cape, alongside a matching padded headband that featured gold embroidery.
Her striking outfit, alongside her poise while carrying the Sword of State in Westminster Abbey, meant Ms Mourdant cemented herself in the public consciousness.
Now, the UK Parliament Instagram page has announced that visitors can see Penny’s dress in person until 2 September.
Fans of Penny Mordaunt’s, 50, iconic teal dress can see it in person until September 2 in London
Despite the Lord President’s uniform traditionally consisting of black robes, as Penny was the first woman to assume the role, she worked with specialists to design the teal dress.
The hand embroidered gold ferns across the shoulders of the cape and hat referenced the traditional Privy Council uniform, as well as paying homage to her coastal constituency, Portsmouth North.
Visitors can see the frock during a tour of the Speaker’s House.
The dress is part of a wider display that collates the ceremonial dress and uniforms that the MPs and staff members sported during the King’s Coronation.
In her ceremonial role as lord president of the privy council and bearer of the Sword of State, Penny’s duties during the big day included carrying the Sword of State, which weighs 3.6 kg (8 lb) for 51 minutes straight.
Then, a few minutes after surrendering the first sword, she was handed the (slightly lighter) Jewelled Sword of Offering, which she also held upright — her elbows tucked into her body, her forearms and biceps taking the strain — for the rest of the two-hour ceremony.
After carrying the Sword of State at the ceremony, Miss Mordaunt was then presented with the Jewelled Sword of Offering, a smaller item decorated with silver, diamonds, rubies and emeralds.
The sword was blessed by the Archbishop of Canterbury before Ms Mordaunt then presented it to the King, who clipped it into his girdle.
Her striking outfit, alongside her poise while carrying the Sword of State in Westminster Abbey, caused a storm on social media
The Lord President’s uniform traditionally consists of black robes, but as Penny was the first woman to assume the role, she worked with specialists to design the dress
Penny’s dress is part of a wider display that collates the ceremonial dress and uniforms that the MPs and staff members sported during the King’s Coronation
It was eventually returned to Ms Mordaunt – who in 2014 featured on ITV’s diving show Splash! and was named ‘Britain’s sexiest MP’ in a poll – and she carried it again as she walked ahead of the King following his crowning.
Miss Mordaunt revealed after the big day that she had undergone a training regime involving press-ups, as well as practising with a weighted replica of the 7lb 5oz sword originally made for Charles II.
Notable figures including a number of fellow MPs praised her, with Labour MP Emily Thornberry tweeting: ‘Got to say it, @PennyMordaunt looks damn fine! The sword bearer steals the show.’
Author and columnist Caitlin Moran also commented on the social media buzz around Ms Mordaunt’s role, saying: ‘Penny Mordaunt’s sword is the ‘Pippa Middleton’s Bum’ of the Coronation.’
Labour MP Chris Bryant said in a tweet: ‘The Penny is mightier than the sword.’
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