Claudia Winkleman looked over the moon to have been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by King Charles at Windsor Castle on Tuesday.
The Strictly Come Dancing host, 53, was honoured for her services to broadcasting, weeks after her Strictly Come Dancing co-host Tess Daly received her own MBE.
Claudia, who was wearing a stylish white suit and headband, was pictured shaking hands with the monarch as he bestowed the honour during an investiture ceremony.
The TV star was supported by her husband Kris Thykier and her parents Eve Pollard and Barry Winkleman, who were seen watching on from the sidelines.
Her sister, Sophie Winkleman, who is a member of the royal family after marrying Lord Frederick Windsor, did not appear to be in attendance on the day.
When it was announced Claudia was on the King’s Birthday Honours list in June, she said she was ‘incredibly grateful’ to have been made a an MBE.
Claudia Winkleman looked over the moon to have been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by King Charles at Windsor Castle on Tuesday
Claudia was supported by her husband Kris Thykier and her parents Eve Pollard and Barry Winkleman, who were seen watching on from the sidelines
The Strictly Come Dancing host, 53, was honoured for her services to broadcasting, weeks after her Strictly Come Dancing co-host Tess Daly received her own MBE
Claudia proudly displayed her MBE outside of the castle
At the time, Claudia said: ‘I am incredibly grateful to receive this honour.
‘It’s a real privilege to work with extraordinarily talented people and I have only got this because of them. So this is for the BBC, the traitors and the faithful, for pianos and for the cha cha.’
The mother of two, who shares her kids with husband Kris, revealed who she would be taking with her to Windsor Castle.
While she is very close to her family, there is one person in particular she had in mind to accompany her, saying: ‘I will buy a hat and am taking my mum. I am ridiculously lucky and will celebrate with Tess by doing a paso doble.’
The King and the Queen are dedicated watchers of the BBC dance programme, which last year celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Claudia and Tess have been part of the Strictly team since its launch in 2004, with Tess presenting the main show with Sir Bruce Forsyth and Claudia, 53, hosting the BBC2 spin-off It Takes Two.
After impressing BBC bosses, Claudia was promoted to hosting the Sunday results show alongside Tess before becoming the main co-host in 2014 following the departure of Sir Bruce when he reduced his workload.
Last year, the Queen described herself as ‘one of Strictly’s greatest fans’ and told Strictly professional dancer Johannes Radebe ‘we all watch it’.
When it was announced Claudia was on the King’s Birthday Honours list in June, she said she was ‘incredibly grateful’ to have been made a an MBE
At the time, Claudia said her mother Eve would definitely be by her side on the day
While she is very close to her family, there is one person in particular she had in mind to accompany her, saying: ‘I will buy a hat and am taking my mum. I am ridiculously lucky and will celebrate with Tess by doing a paso doble’
Her sister, Sophie Winkleman , who is a member of the royal family after marrying Lord Frederick Windsor , did not appear to be in attendance on the day (Sophie pictured with husband Frederick and their daughters Maud and Isabella)
Ms Daly’s husband the BBC radio presenter Vernon Kay has previously talked of the ‘real friendship’ that has formed between his wife and Her Majesty, with the Queen even keen to know what goes on behind-the-scenes.
Kay, 51, said: ‘Camilla and Tess have a real friendship through it now. They don’t text, but we have mutual friends and messages come through.
‘When they see each other, the Queen is always asking: ‘Who is your favourite?’ She wants to know the backstage gossip.
‘It’s crazy to think of the King and Queen sat on the sofa with a brew watching your wife present Strictly.’
Her Majesty hosted a palace tea party for Strictly where she danced with former professional Brendan Cole, been in the audience and filmed a video message for the 2020 final, which was won by Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse.
The Queen is a keen dancer who has attended Silver Swans, classes for elderly ballet dancers run by the Royal Academy of Dance.
The news brought some joy to the Strictly team after a difficult few years as it faced a number of complaints about mistreatment on the show, which led to the departures of professionals Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima last year.
While celebrities Wynne Evans and Jamie Borthwick have also faced accusations of inappropriate behavior on this year’s Strictly tour.
Claudia wore a black blouse underneath her chic suit for the occasion
Claudia couldn’t wipe the smile off her face as she spoke to King Charles
King Charles pinned the badge onto Claudia’s lapel
The monarch shook her hand
Both Strictly hosts engage in charity work including Daly, who is a proud supporter of the King’s Trust and patron of Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, and Winkleman, who is a patron of Child Bereavement UK and Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity.
Claudia was raised in London in a media-connected family, her mother is journalist and editor Eve Pollard.
She studied Art History at Cambridge University before branching out into broadcasting in the early 90s.
She appeared on programmes such as Holiday as well as working as travel writer, later contributing lifestyle and opinion columns to publications including The Independent.
