Tourists are flocking to see the sword Penny Mordaunt carried during the King’s coronation.
A new display at the Tower of London shines a spotlight on the Sword of State, which has unexpectedly become the most popular attraction.
The sword was shown during the television coverage of the coronation being held by the MP.
Ms Mordaunt was praised for her strength holding the blade for a prolonged period of time.
Although she admitted she needed to take a few painkillers to get through the ceremony.
Charles Farris, a historian of the monarchy at Historic Royal Palaces, said: ‘It’s not an object we might have seen visitors looking for, particularly in the past – but we expect that they definitely will now.
‘It’s wonderful to see the ways in which the recent coronation has given people a new-found appreciation of the crown jewels.’
The display opened earlier this week in the Jewel House where crowns and various jewels are kept for visitors.
It was revealed after the coronation the MP used a number of measures to make sure she could carry the 17th century sword, which is more than 3ft long.
She said she deliberately wore comfy shoes, and ate a good breakfast before the ceremony began – as well as popping a few painkillers.
But she downplayed reports she followed a strict weight-lifting regimen.
Ms Mordaunt said: ‘I think you want to make sure you’re in good nick and I did take a couple of painkillers beforehand just to make sure I was going to be alright.
‘We got through it and it was only half of the ceremony I had to carry the Sword of State, which is the really heavy one, and then I traded it in for the very exquisite Jewelled Sword of Offering, which is much lighter.’
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