London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Jul 16, 2025

Coronation: Penny Mordaunt's sword-wielding role - and other top moments

Coronation: Penny Mordaunt's sword-wielding role - and other top moments

Millions of viewers watched King Charles III crowned in a meticulously-planned ancient ceremony but it was the unexpected moments that got many people talking.
1. Penny Mordaunt wields swords

Penny Mordaunt caused a flurry of activity on social media as she played a starring role at the Coronation - holding ceremonial swords for more than an hour.

On Twitter many pointed out the Conservative MP's strength, even winning praise from her party's political foes.

"Don't let anyone ever say I never say anything positive about the Tories... I am in awe of @PennyMordaunt arm and shoulder strength," former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell tweeted.

Speaking to Times Radio before the ceremony, she joked she had been preparing by "doing some press-ups".

While Ms Mordaunt's custom-made teal outfit - with a matching cape and headband with feather embroidery - also caught people's attention, with many drawing comparisons with Henry VIII's second wife Anne Boleyn.

One woman tweeted: "Penny Mordaunt has absolutely stolen the show at the Abbey today! She is rocking that Anne Boleyn look!"

The MP and Leader of the House of Commons said she was honoured to beinvolved in the ceremony through her role as Lord President of the Council - an ancient role.

She carried the 17th century Sword of State made for Charles II into Westminster Abbey, and exchanged it for the Jewelled Sword of Offering, which she delivered to the archbishop.

She then carried the Jewelled Sword of Offering, with hilt encrusted with diamonds, rubies and emeralds, for the rest of the service and walked with it in front of the King as he left the abbey.

Notably, she becomes the first woman to carry and present the sword - which symbolises royal power and the King accepting his duty and knightly virtues.

She tweeted: "I'm very aware that 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."

2. Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis

There was a tender moment between the Prince and Princess of Wales's children. Prince Louis, five, when he held the hand of his older sister Princess Charlotte as they walked into Westminster Abbey.

The prince, the youngest of Prince William and Catherine's children, was on his best behaviour, having stolen the show at previous royal events including Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee when he appeared to find the flypast a bit noisy while on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

This time, the prince nudged his father to point out something in the distance during the flypast and debuted a new, rather exaggerated, wave.

3. Gospel choir bring a modern twist

A gospel choir added a rather modern twist to the ancient ceremony.

The Ascension choir were handpicked and specially brought together for the occasion. Dressed in all white, the group of singers sang beautifully and swayed as they performed specially composed piece Alleluia.

They proved a hit with Catherine who gave a beaming smile as she listened.

4. When music royalty meets actual royalty

Singer Katy Perry turned heads in a fabulous lilac Vivienne Westwood matching jacket and skirt, and fascinator.

But the Firework singer caught viewers' eyes for another reason as she had a spot of bother finding for her seat.

She was seen walking up and down the Abbey searching for it.

"Katy Perry not finding her seat is so me," tweeted one Perry fan.

The pop star, who happily took selfies with other guests, will be performing at the Coronation Concert in Windsor alongside Lionel Richie on Sunday.

Perry later tweeted: "Don't worry guys I found my seat."

5. Prince William kissed father

The King and the Prince of Wales shared a touching moment when Prince William paid homage to his father.

Prince William got down on one knee to pledge his loyalty to the King, before kissing him on the cheek.

The King was then seen to say a few words to his eldest son.

In a break with tradition, the prince was the only blood prince to pay homage.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Dimon Warns on Fed Independence as Trump Administration Eyes Powell’s Succession
Church of England Removes 1991 Sexuality Guidelines from Clergy Selection
Superman Franchise Achieves Success with Latest Release
Hungary's Viktor Orban Rejects Agreements on Illegal Migration
Jeff Bezos Considers Purchasing Condé Nast as a Wedding Gift
Ghislaine Maxwell Says She’s Ready to Testify Before Congress on Epstein’s Criminal Empire
Bal des Pompiers: A Celebration of Community and Firefighter Culture in France
FBI Chief Kash Patel Denies Resignation Speculations Amid Epstein List Controversy
Air India Pilot’s Mental Health Records Under Scrutiny
Google Secures Windsurf AI Coding Team in $2.4 Billion Licence Deal
Jamie Dimon Warns Europe Is Losing Global Competitiveness and Flags Market Complacency
South African Police Minister Suspended Amid Organised Crime Allegations
Nvidia CEO Claims Chinese Military Reluctance to Use US AI Technology
Hong Kong Advances Digital Asset Strategy to Address Economic Challenges
Australia Rules Out Pre‑commitment of Troops, Reinforces Defence Posture Amid US‑China Tensions
Martha Wells Says Humanity Still Far from True Artificial Intelligence
Nvidia Becomes World’s First Four‑Trillion‑Dollar Company Amid AI Boom
U.S. Resumes Deportations to Third Countries After Supreme Court Ruling
Excavation Begins at Site of Mass Grave for Children at Former Irish Institution
Iranian President Reportedly Injured During Israeli Strike on Secret Facility
EU Delays Retaliatory Tariffs Amid New U.S. Threats on Imports
Trump Defends Attorney General Pam Bondi Amid Epstein Memo Backlash
Renault Shares Drop as CEO Luca de Meo Announces Departure Amid Reports of Move to Kering
Senior Aides for King Charles and Prince Harry Hold Secret Peace Summit
Anti‑Semitism ‘Normalised’ in Middle‑Class Britain, Says Commission Co‑Chair
King Charles Meets David Beckham at Chelsea Flower Show
If the Department is Really About Justice: Ghislaine Maxwell Should Be Freed Now
NYC Candidate Zohran Mamdani’s ‘Antifada’ Remarks Spark National Debate on Political Language and Economic Policy
President Trump Visits Flood-Ravaged Texas, Praises Community Strength and First Responders
From Mystery to Meltdown, Crisis Within the Trump Administration: Epstein Files Ignite A Deepening Rift at the Highest Levels of Government Reveals Chaos, Leaks, and Growing MAGA Backlash
Trump Slams Putin Over War Death Toll, Teases Major Russia Announcement
Reparations argument crushed
Rainmaker CEO Says Cloud Seeding Paused Before Deadly Texas Floods
A 92-year-old woman, who felt she doesn't belong in a nursing home, escaped the death-camp by climbing a gate nearly 8 ft tall
French Journalist Acquitted in Controversial Case Involving Brigitte Macron
Elon Musk’s xAI Targets $200 Billion Valuation in New Fundraising Round
Kraft Heinz Considers Splitting Off Grocery Division Amid Strategic Review
Trump Proposes Supplying Arms to Ukraine Through NATO Allies
EU Proposes New Tax on Large Companies to Boost Budget
Trump Imposes 35% Tariffs on Canadian Imports Amid Trade Tensions
Junior Doctors in the UK Prepare for Five-Day Strike Over Pay Disputes
US Opens First Rare Earth Mine in Over 70 Years in Wyoming
Kurdistan Workers Party Takes Symbolic Step Towards Peace in Northern Iraq
Bitcoin Reaches New Milestone of $116,000
Biden’s Doctor Pleads the Fifth to Avoid Self-Incrimination on President’s Medical Fitness
Grok Chatbot Faces International Backlash for Antisemitic Content
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
×