King Charles’s III coronation has been the news, days after its end as well. The 73-year-old ascended the British throne after 70 years of rule by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Not only this, the pop concert that followed made a lot of headlines too. Hosted by actor Hugh Bonneville, the concert celebrated arts and saw power-packed performances from Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Winne the Pooh’s tribute. There is no denying that the coronation event was an extravagant affair. 

But there was one Member of the Parliament as well who was all over the news. And no, it is not Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

King Charles coronation: Of ‘painkillers,’ ‘comfortable shoes,’ and ‘good breakfast’

Penny Mordaunt was bestowed with the privilege to carry the State and Sword of Offering at the King’s coronation. The 50-year-old is a leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council. In a recent episode of BBC’s Nick Robinson’s Political Thinking podcast, she revealed everything that went behind her preparation for carrying the sword. Aside from the rehearsals where she learned the history of the various steps within the ceremony.

What baffled everyone, including Robinson, was the sword bearer’s muscles strength. Following the coronation, speculations were rife that Mordaunt spent six months in the gym to prepare for her part. However, the reality, as revealed by the Parliament member was quite different. “I did take a couple of painkillers before just to make sure I was going to be all right,” she shared with Robinson. 

She also added that she wriggled her toes in between to ensure proper blood flow. Not only this, but she also added that she had a good breakfast and wore comfy shoes to ensure her comfort during the ceremony. And she needed it because she had to hold the Sword of the State for a good 51 minutes. Mordaunt, however, pointed out how she had to only hold the heavy sword for half the ceremony, after which she traded it for the “exquisite Jewelled Sword of Offering,” which was lighter.

Notably, Mordaunt didn’t hit the headlines for having painkillers or wearing comfortable shoes. It was the history that her inclusion in the royal ceremony created that made news.

Mordaunt was the first woman to be the sword bearer

Mordaunt became the first woman to carry and present the sword in the history of British coronations. The Tory minister was praised all over social media for her strength in the only way the netizens know: through memes. In her podcast appearance, she shared that she was more than happy to see all the memes that flooded social media. Like the one with kebabs instead of a sword in hand. Many compared her dress to Star Wars Princess Leia.

Traditionally, the sword bearers wore a formal black dress. With a blue one, Mordaunt aimed to go for something modern. Her dress also had a motif of the Privy Council, which was her way of giving a ‘nod to the past.’

The Sword of State, carried by Mordaunt, is entrusted to the reigning monarch to protect the good and punish the evil according to the Royal Trust Collection. On the other hand, the Jewelled Sword of Offering is symbolic of the protection of good and the punishment of evil.

What are your views about Penny Mordaunt taking a painkiller in preparation to be the sword bearer? Let us know in the comments.