Tory MP Penny Mordaunt leads surprise stars of Coronation as she channels warrior queen Boudicca carrying huge sword
COMMONS leader Penny Mordaunt’s sword skills have turned her into a Coronation sensation.
The Tory MP, who carried two huge blades during the hours-long ceremony, has been likened to the ancient warrior queen Boudicca.
Fans wowed by her strength in wielding the weapons, one weighing 8lb, also compared her to Henry VIII’s wife Anne Boleyn and superhero Wonder Woman.
Others reckoned she stole the show — just like Pippa Middleton’s bum at the 2011 wedding of her sister Kate to Prince William.
Ms Mordaunt’s sword-carrying role — as Lord President of the Privy Council and Leader of the House of Commons — bewitched a telly audience of 350million.
US rock singer Courtney Love tweeted: “I’m now obsessed with Penny Mordaunt taking it way up a notch with actual Tudor . . . headdress holding this golden sword. #boudicca vibes. Obsessed! I couldn’t take my eyes off her.”
Ex-Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell tweeted: “Don’t let anyone ever say I never say anything positive about the Tories . . . I am in awe of Penny Mordaunt’s arm and shoulder strength.”
Labour MP Emily Thornberry added: “Got to say it, Penny Mordaunt looks damn fine! The sword-bearer steals the show.”
Author and columnist Caitlin Moran said: “Penny Mordaunt’s sword is the Pippa Middleton’s bum of the Coronation.”
Labour’s Chris Bryant quipped: “The Penny is mightier than the sword.”
And one joker wrote: “Penny Mordaunt has now been holding that sword longer than Liz Truss was Prime Minister.”
Ms Mordaunt wore a custom-made teal outfit, matching cape and headband embroidered with gold feathers.
She entered Westminster Abbey carrying the 4ft Sword of State.
Weighing 8lb, the 17th century piece has a silver-gilt hilt in the form of a lion and unicorn. The wooden scabbard is covered in red velvet with silver-gilt rose, thistle and fleur-de-lis emblems.
Later, Ms Mordaunt exchanged it for the 1821 Jewelled Sword of Offering, encrusted with diamonds, rubies and emeralds.
She rehearsed using weighted replicas and said her time in the Navy helped her stand for long periods. On the eve of the Coronation, she joked about “doing some press-ups” in preparation.
After, Ms Mordaunt brushed off her starring role and said: “I’m very aware our Armed Forces, police officers and others have been marching or standing for hours as part of the ceremony or 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.”
THE ANGELIC CHOIRBOY
TEENAGER Samuel Strachan won the hearts of the world as he spoke the first words of the Coronation service.
The 14-year-old addressed Charles: “Your Majesty, as children of the kingdom of God, we welcome you in the name of the King of Kings.”
Samuel is the longest-serving chorister of the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace.
THE GOSPEL SINGERS
SOME viewers hailed the Ascension Choir as “the best part of the Coronation”.
The gospel singers — handpicked for the historic occasion — sang Alleluia, written by Debbie Wiseman.
One fan wrote online: “The gospel choir was glorious.”
Labour MP Jess Phillips said: “Cried at the gospel choir, felt a bit overwhelmed.
“Funny old thing patriotism, grabs you in a weird way.”
THE SPECTACULAR SOPRANO
SOPRANO Pretty Yende is the first African to sing solo at a UK coronation.
In a spectacular yellow dress, the 38-year-old performed Sacred Fire, by British composer Sarah Class. Yende was born in South Africa under apartheid.
She sang gospel in her home town of eMkhondo. Critics told her to boycott the Coronation in protest at Britain’s colonial past.
But she said it was a chance for her to “reconcile, to heal, to love”.
MUSICAL LEGENDS
ANDREW Lloyd Webber’s fabulous anthem, Make A Joyful Noise, was performed publicly for the first time at Saturday’s Coronation.
And yesterday it was heard in Sunday services up and down the country after the sheet music was sent to 6,000 churches.
During Saturday’s ceremony, the opening and closing fanfare of the piece was played by trumpeters of the Royal Air Force — while the chorus was sung by the choir of Westminster Abbey.
The Coronation Orchestra — made up of musicians from eight of the world’s best — provided accompaniment.
It also featured the Abbey’s sub-organist Peter Holder and was conducted by Andrew Nethsingha, the organist and master of the choristers at Westminster Abbey.
Opera star Sir Bryn Terfel also performed the first Welsh language song heard at a Coronation.
The piece, called Coronation Kyrie and composed by Paul Mealor, was inspired by the hills and valleys of Wales.
THE GRIM REAPER
SOCIAL media went into a frenzy with claims the Grim Reaper was caught on camera at Westminster Abbey.
TV viewers spotted a hooded figure in dark robes, holding a rod similar to a scythe, scurrying past an archway.
One wag joked: “Who is he after?”
It was, in fact, a trick of the light and the outline of a clergyman.
THE HOT EQUERRY
DASHING equerry Major Jonathan Thompson wowed fans again as he stood at the King’s side throughout.
The hunky officer, 39, is a member of the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland and was once the Queen’s most senior bodyguard.
But he now serves His Majesty — winning an army of admirers who have dubbed him the Hot Equerry.
Of his latest appearance, one Twitter user commented: “Hot equerry draws eyes again at coronation.”
Another wrote: “If someone isn’t writing Penny/Hot Equerry fanfic I shall be extremely disappointed in the internet.”
But his admirers may be disappointed — the major is married with two children.