Royal sword unveiled for King Charles isTWICE weight of Penny's blade

2023-07-01

Royal ceremonial sword is unveiled for King Charles that’s TWICE weight of Penny Mordaunt’s blade… Good job an Olympian will carry it, then!

The Elizabeth sword will be presented to the King at a ceremony in Scotland

Penny Mordaunt’s Scottish equivalent better get down to the gym – and fast.

A ceremonial sword created for the King is more than twice the weight of the one famously carried by the Leader of the House of Commons at the Coronation in May.

The nation marvelled at her strength as she carried two swords in Westminster Abbey, the larger weighing 8lb (3.6kg), with much talk of her preparations and exercise regime.

But a brand new sword called The Elizabeth will be presented to the King at a ceremony in Scotland on Wednesday marking his accession to the throne.

Made to replace the existing 16th century Sword of State that is deemed too fragile to handle, it comes in at an astonishing 16.5lb (7.5kg).

Paul Macdonald, custom sword and knife maker holds the Elizabeth sword which will form part of the Honours of Scotland

Lord President of the Council, Penny Mordaunt, holding the Sword of State walking ahead of King Charles III during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 6

Sword designer Mark Dennis views The Elizabeth sword which will form part of the Honours of Scotland

Again, a woman is tasked with carrying it in to the cathedral, this time St Giles in Edinburgh, before it is held up for the King, for him to simply touch it.

The good news is the latest sword carrier will be Dame Katherine Grainger, who won a gold medal rowing at the 2012 Olympics.

The £22,000 sword’s designer, US-born Mark Dennis, 73, of St Andrews, said he chuckled at the furore over Ms Mordaunt’s ‘light-weight’ sword-bearing.

‘But she did a wonderful job,’ he added. ‘There’s a Boadicea fashion with these strapping women carrying large swords.’

He said his 4ft 10in sword – ten inches longer than Ms Mordaunt’s – would actually be usable, double-handed, in combat, but as its blades are not sharpened no one risks being cut.

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