Penny Mordaunt reveals why she's selling the dress she wore for her show-stealing Coronation performance

Penny Mordaunt, 50, was the unexpected star of the King's Coronation in MayREAD MORE: The meteoric rise of ex-magician's assistant Penny Mordaunt who was once voted 'Britain's sexiest MP' and made a failed bid to be PM before key Westminster Abbey role

Penny Mordaunt has revealed why she is selling the dress she wore at King Charles’ III Coronation.

The Leader of the UK House of Commons and Lord President of the Privy Council, 50, who was the unexpected star of the King’s Coronation in May, with her dress being the centre of attention, said she wants the funds from the gown to go to charity.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, she said: ‘I can never wear it again – unless I’m going to a fancy dress party as myself!’

The Conservative MP, who donned a regal teal dress and cape, alongside a matching padded headband that featured gold embroidery, intends to sell the ensemble with the proceeds going to fund projects in her Portsmouth constituency.

She added: ‘It struck me it ought to do some good. It’s such an iconic dress that it ought to go on and do some other good things.’

Penny Mordaunt revealed why she is selling the dress she wore at King Charles’ III Coronation in May 2023 (pictured)

Penny revealed she choose the viral ensemble because she wanted to ‘fit in’ and look ‘modern for a modern king.’

She also added that she decided on the cape design because it had a historical feel to it and gave a nod to the military.

Her striking outfit, alongside her poise while carrying the Sword of State in Westminster Abbey, meant Penny cemented herself in the public consciousness.

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.

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.

After carrying the Sword of State at the ceremony, Penny 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.

It was eventually returned to Penny – 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.

The Leader of the UK House of Commons and Lord President of the Privy Council, Penny Mordaunt (pictured in July 2023), 50, who was the unexpected star of the King’s Coronation in May, with her dress being the centre of attention, revealed she wants the funds from the gown to go to charity

Lord President of the Council, Penny Mordaunt arriving at Westminster Abbey for the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla

Her striking outfit, alongside her poise while carrying the Sword of State in Westminster Abbey, caused a storm on social media

Penny 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.’

Last year, the UK Parliament Instagram page announced that visitors could see Penny’s dress in person until 2 September. Visitors could see the frock during a tour of the Speaker’s House. 

The dress was part of a wider display that collated the ceremonial dress and uniforms that the MPs and staff members sported during the King’s Coronation.