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

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.

Conservative MP and Britain’s Minister of State for Trade Policy, Penny Mordaunt, makes a thumbs-up gesture during the launch her campaign to become the next leader of the Conservative party, in central London on July 13, 2022. Britain’s ruling Conservative party was Wednesday to winnow down the eight candidates vying to succeed Prime Minister Boris Johnson amid growing acrimony over alleged dirty tricks. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

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.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 13: Conservative leadership candidate Penny Mordaunt addresses the media and supporters during a press conference to launch her bid to become the next Prime Minister, on July 13, 2022 in London, England. Mordaunt, Conservative MP for Portsmouth North, is now one of eight contenders who achieved the necessary 20 nominations by the 12 July deadline and proceeds to the first ballot this evening. She is the favourite in polling conducted by political blog ConservativeHome. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

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 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.