Penny Mordaunt has been been made a dame in that major royal event, the King’s Birthday Honours, in recognition for her services to politics. Dame Penny was the first woman to be Lord President of the Privy Council and, as such, she famously carried the Sword of State at the Coronation in May 2023. However, before that, an even more symbolic moment had put her name in the history books. For it was Dame Penny who stood before the Accession Council to announce the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning Monarch in British history.
A moment of royal history
The Accession Council was held on September 10 2022 at St. James’ Palace with Dame Penny playing a central role. The council held its first meeting when members gathered without the King. All 700 members of the Privy Council were called but with space for only 200, actual attendance was kept to the most senior members. A few dozen places were distributed by ballot.
Among those participating were all the living former Prime Ministers of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. Sir John Major, Sir Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson all took part.
For the first time, the meeting was televised. Around 800 members of the public were also admitted to St. James’ Palace to hear the proclamation take place.
The meeting took place in the Picture Gallery. Just after 10am, they were called to attention and the Deputation Party arrived. Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales, the Prime Minister, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Archbishop of York and the Earl Marshall all took their place.
Historic words spoken while The King waited elsewhere
The Lord President of the Council, Penny Morduaunt, then spoke to them to announce the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on September 8th 2022 at Balmoral.
She said ”I propose that, when certain necessary business has been transacted, a deputation consisting of Her Majesty, His Royal Highness, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, The Archbishop of York, The Prime Minister, The Clerk of the Council, and myself shall wait on The King and inform him that the council is assembled.”
The Clerk then read the text of the declaration, naming Charles as King. His reign had started at the moment his mother died but this event was an important part of the new royal reign.
The declaration proclamation was then signed by the Deputation Party with the Prince of Wales going first, followed by Queen Camilla.
Once the signing was completed, The Lord President of the Council asked the Declaration Party to join her in waiting on The King and they left.
It was a striking moment, performed for the first time by a woman. And it put Dame Penny’s name in the royal history books for good.
