Claudia Winkleman awarded MBE by King Charles as proud husband watches on

TV presenter Claudia Winkleman has accepted an MBE from the King today as she was joined by her proud husband at Windsor Castle.

Claudia and her Strictly Come Dancing co-host Tess Daly were both made MBEs in the King’s Birthday Honours for their services to broadcasting. Just weeks after the announcement, the duo announced that they will be leaving the BBC dance show after fronting it together since 2014.

Claudia donned an all white suit for the occasion along with a pair of matching stiletto heels and a headband over her signature glossy locks. As she collected the honour, Claudia was seen cracking a joke with King Charles whose wife Queen Camilla is a known fan of Strictly. Claudia and Tess were both sent personal letters from the Queen after their MBE’s were announced, with Tess calling her visit to Windsor Castle ‘the proudest day of her life’.

Claudia was joined by her film producer husband Kris Thykier and her mum Eve Pollard. Claudia and Eve – a former editor of the Sunday Mirror – posed to pictures together in the castle grounds following the service.

Claudia began her career as a TV and radio presenter fronting a range of BBC TV shows including Comic Relief and The Great British Sewing Bee. She went on to present a range of programmes on BBC Radio 2 until 2024, including the comedy quiz series Hot Gossip, the Claudia Winkleman Arts Show and Claudia On Sunday.

After jointly receiving their honours, Claudia and Tess’ last appearance on Strictly will be the Christmas special, which will air on December 25. Last week the BBC confirmed that Claudia’s second reality series The Traitors will return to screens on New Year’s Day.

Former cabinet minister Dame Penny Mordaunt, who played a prominent role during the King’s coronation in 2023, joined Claudia at Windsor Castle on Tuesday. She was made a dame for political and public service.

Claudia’s MBE comes weeks after co-host Tess was given the same honour in November. Speaking after her ceremony, Tess said the King put her ‘nerves’ at ease.

She said: “This is probably the greatest honour of my career and it still feels quite surreal to be honest with you. I’ve been working in television for 25 years, and it’s a job I absolutely love to do. It was a real privilege to be in a room of people who have made a difference in their communities, who have built incredible careers. It was a very inspiring environment.”

She added: “His Majesty put me at ease – I was quite nervous. We talked about the show and I know the Queen enjoys it. She sent me a letter of congratulations when I received the MBE which meant the world.”

She added: “He (the King) thanked me for the work I have done for his charity as well – the King’s Trust.

“We talked about the funds that it’s raised and how many young people’s lives this has made a huge difference to and I’m very proud to be an ambassador of this charity.

“It’s just incredible to be welcomed into a royal residence by a member of the royal family – the King, no less – and to have such an honour bestowed upon you is something that you don’t take lightly.

“I will never forget this day for the rest of my life. It’s for my family as much as it is for myself.

“If I could dedicate it to anyone, I would dedicate it to my late dad because he’d be so proud of his daughter meeting the King, in a castle.”

Speaking about her forthcoming departure from Strictly, she said: “I love the show, it’s wonderful and it’s just fantastic to have worked on it for as many years as I have. It’s been such a great opportunity to work with incredibly talented people. Obviously for me, there’s no show like it.

“I will miss it but I’m quite looking forward to a lie-in on Saturday morning – and new ventures in the new year.”

Asked who will replace her, she said: “I have no idea, it’s not up to me.

“I’ll be watching at home with Claudia – we’ll be watching the launcher together!”

Source: Mirror