Claudia Winkleman after being made an MBE (Image: PA)

The Traitors and Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman proudly accepted her MBE from King Charles III at Windsor Castle today. Claudia and her Strictly co-host Tess Daly were both made MBEs in the King’s Birthday Honours for their services to broadcasting. The huge announcement came ahead of the pair’s announcement that they would be leaving the BBC ballroom dancing programme after hosting it together since 2024.

Claudia looked incredibly stylish in an off-white tailored suit, which she paired with a black top underneath and a white hairband for the special outing. The beloved TV star posed with her mouth open in excitement and shock for the cameras as she held up her prestigious award. The Traitors host was supported by her husband and her parents, Eve Pollard and Barry Winkleman, for the occasion as they watched her receive the honour from King Charles.

King Charles III awarded Claudia Winkleman the honour (Image: PA)

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When Claudia discovered she was on the King’s Birthday Honours list in June, she said she was “incredibly grateful”.

She said at the time: “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.”

Queen Camilla is a self-proclaimed Strictly Come Dancing fan and told professional dancer Johannes Radebe, “We all watch it”.

Vernon Kay, Tess’s husband, has previously discussed her friendship with the Queen.

He shared: “Camilla and Tess have a real friendship through it now. They don’t text, but we have mutual friends, and messages come through.

Claudia Winkleman after being made an MBE (Image: PA)

“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 sitting on the sofa with a brew watching your wife present Strictly.”

Tess has been a host on Strictly since its inception in 2004, and Claudia became a main host in 2014.

Their final episode will air on Christmas Day, marking a poignant moment for the show’s cast and crew, as well as its loyal fans.

Claudia and Tess announced they would be leaving Strictly earlier this Autumn in a joint social media post, which sparked a frenzy online.

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.