Penny Mordaunt is praised for 'superb' job as she officially announces the Queen's death and becomes the first woman to proclaim a new monarch

• e-mail

Penny Mordaunt was today lauded for her 'superb' job of officially announcing the Queen's death and proclaiming Charles as Britain's new King. 

The conservative MP, who is the first woman to proclaim a new monarch, was applauded online for doing an 'outstanding job' during Saturday morning's 'moving and sombre' ceremony.

Twitter users pointed out that Ms Mordaunt, who was appointed to her new role by Prime Minister Liz Truss, had little time to prepare for the Accession Proclamation but still managed to be 'very polished' and spoke with 'authority.'

Several suggested she was a better public speaker than Ms Truss and noted how they wished she had become the PM instead. 

However, many poked fun at how Ms Mordaunt has become the first-ever ITV Splash! contestant to preside over the accession of a monarch. 

They jokingly asked if she aspired to be 'Lord President of the Council one day' while competing on the diving programme.

 The conservative MP, who is the first woman to proclaim a new monarch, was applauded online for doing an 'outstanding job' during the 'moving and sombre' ceremony

Many poked fun at how Ms Mordaunt has become the first-ever ITV Splash! contestant to preside over the accession of a monarch

Opening proceedings at the Accession Council, Lord President of the Council Penny Mordaunt, formally announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II and called upon the Clerk of the Council to read aloud the text of the Accession Proclamation before the body signed the document. 

The document includes Charles's chosen title as King, already known to be King Charles III.

Ms Mordaunt's behaviour during the ceremony was 'resplendent,' many who watched the televised ceremony have proclaimed.

'Penny Mordaunt doing a splendid job in a very moving an sombre unique occasion,' Chris Varley tweeted. 'Unique never before done with an audience.'

'Penny Mordaunt delivered her duty superbly,' echoed Cheshire resident Dawn. 'Four days since Liz Truss became the new PM. What a baptism of fire. Most of us have never seen these scenes before, a new Monarch, and may never see them again.'

User @Lizziedl added: 'Penny Mordaunt is doing an outstanding job. Esp considering the time to prepare.' 

Writer Piers Torday said: 'I could listen to the King saying “Approved” to Penny Mordaunt all day - might make it my new ring tone.' 

Penny Mordaunt was today lauded for her 'superb' job of officially announcing the Queen's death and proclaiming Charles as Britain's new King

Some pointed out how the former reality show contestant likely didn't expect to become the first woman to proclaim a new monarch.

'I wonder if Penny Mordaunt was thinking when she was on Splash “I’m going to be Lord President of the Council one day and manage the proclamation of the new King,”' questioned @terry61201, before adding: 'Btw, I thought she was very good.'

User @Nina_Rotor joked: 'Now in honour of the new king's leap into the monarchy's new era Penny Mordaunt will re-enact her 10-metre bellyflop from Tom Daley's 2014 "Splash!" into the privy council's compost-powered jacuzzi-spa.'

'It is weird that Penny Mordaunt went on that Splash! programme and now has a role in swearing in the King,' echoed Scott Rogers-Wolfson. 

Others suggested it must be a 'bizarre month' for Ms Mordaunt and that she likely was not 'expecting to be doing this when she started her new job earlier this week.'

David Chipakupaku added: 'What a bizarre month for Penny Mordaunt.'

Many complimented her 'resplendent' demeanour and argued she should have been the UK's new Prime Minister

Others said it was a 'shame' that Ms Mordaunt is not the nation's prime minister.

'God I wish Penny Mordaunt was prime minister,' penned Manchester resident George Lumley.

'Penny Mordaunt. The conservative party should be ashamed they never elected her to lead the country,' wrote user @sixtimes.

Der Petemann added: 'Penny Mordaunt is stunning. What a shame she's not our PM.'

Ms Mordaunt was appointed Lord President of the Council, and Leader of the House of Commons, on September 6 in Ms Truss's new Cabinet, in place of Mark Spencer, with the Queen officially approving the appointment.

She is yet to be 'declared' Lord President at a Privy Council meeting because the event was postponed on Wednesday when the Queen was urged to rest. 

Ms Mordaunt has been a member of Parliament since 2010. Most recently she was Minister of State at the Department for International Trade. 

Ms Mordaunt was appointed Lord President of the Council, and Leader of the House of Commons, on September 6. She is pictured on Saturday signing the Proclamation of Accession of King Charles III

The Prince of Wales, the Queen Consort, Lord President of the Council Penny Mordaunt and Prime Minister Liz Truss are pictured during the Accession Council ceremony at St James's Palace on Saturday morning

The appointment came after Ms Mordaunt came close to blocking Ms Truss's run for power. The new Prime Minister appointed her to the role after Sir Iain Duncan Smith reportedly turned it down. 

He told BBC Radio 4 earlier this week: 'I have been offered and said I won't be taking it up. I'm going back to the backbenches again.'

In her new role, Ms Mordaunt will be responsible for delivering the government’s legislative programme.

Her position involves managing the business of the House of Commons and acting as the government's representative in the House.

She will also chair the Parliamentary Business and Legislation Cabinet Committee and the Members Estimate Committee.

As Lord President of the Council she will presides at Privy Council meetings, make recommendations to the King and deal with Ministerial correspondence and Parliamentary Questions relating to Privy Council Business.