Lord President of the Privy Council, MP Penny Mordaunt, has broken tradition with her choice of outfit for the King and Queen Consort’s Coronation ceremony.

Mordaunt had a significant role in carrying the Sword of State in the procession through Westminster Abbey.

Traditionally, the Lord President wears black and gold court dress, but Mordaunt – the first woman to perform this function at a coronation – chose a more modern ensemble in teal green.

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MP Penny Mordaunt breaks tradition with coronation outfit

In an interview with Politico, she said she “felt it wasn’t right” to wear the customary dress – last worn by the Marquess of Salisbury at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

The MP for Portsmouth North wanted “to come up with something that is modern and will give a firm nod to the heritage” of the occasion.

Mordaunt revealed she commissioned the midi-length cape dress, which is embroidered around the collar with the fern motif of the privy council.

Her matching headband-style hat also featured the same motif, stitched by specialist atelier Hand and Lock, the company responsible for embroidering military uniforms for the coronation.

To carry the 4ft sword which is reported to weigh around 8lbs, Mordaunt chose flat shoes decorated with bow details and wore a pair of pearl earrings.

Positioned close to the King during the ceremony, Mordaunt got a lot of attention on social media – for both her outfit and her strength in holding the sword for so long.

Speaking to The Times’ Red Box Politics podcast ahead of the ceremony, she also disclosed she had been “doing some press-ups” in preparation for her sword-carrying role.

She added that she had been practising in rehearsals with weighted replicas and that her experience in the Navy had helped prepare her for standing for long periods of time without fainting.

Social media users react to MP Penny Mordaunt carrying the Sword of State

BBC presenter Dan Walker tweeted: “Penny Mordaunt’s shoulder power is impressive. Get her in the Olympics.”

One user wrote: “Penny Maudant is a star holding the sword high for so long and in a lovely dress.”

While another viewer said: “Penny Maudant doing a great job holding up that big sword” along with a sword emoji.

Someone else posted: “I have to say Penny Mordaunt deserves some serious recognition for her role!!” with two heart emojis.