Claudia Winkleman was visibly overjoyed as she was officially awarded her Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by King Charles during a prestigious investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Tuesday.
The Strictly Come Dancing co-host, 53, received the honour for her outstanding services to broadcasting, just weeks after her longtime presenting partner Tess Daly was awarded the very same distinction.
Claudia looked effortlessly elegant in a chic white tailored suit and headband, smiling warmly as she shook hands with the Monarch while he pinned the medal onto her lapel.
Supported by Her Closest Family on a Once-in-a-Lifetime Day
Watching proudly from the sidelines were Claudia’s husband Kris Thykier and her parents Eve Pollard and Barry Winkleman, who were seen beaming as she stepped forward to accept the honour.
Her sister Sophie Winkleman, a member of the Royal Family after marrying Lord Frederick Windsor, did not appear to be in attendance.
After the ceremony, Claudia proudly displayed her MBE outside the castle, still glowing with emotion.
“This Is for the BBC, the Traitors, the Faithful… and the Cha Cha”
When her honour was first announced on the King’s Birthday Honours list in June, Claudia said she was:
“Incredibly grateful to receive this honour.”
She added:
“It’s a real privilege to work with extraordinarily talented people and I have only got this because of them. This is for the BBC, the Traitors and the Faithful, for pianos and for the cha cha.”
The mother-of-three — who shares Jake, Matilda and Arthur with husband Kris — had previously revealed that her mum would be by her side on the big day:
“I will buy a hat and I am taking my mum. I am ridiculously lucky and will celebrate with Tess by doing a paso doble.”
The Royal Family’s Love Affair with Strictly
Both King Charles and Queen Camilla are known to be avid fans of Strictly Come Dancing, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year.
Queen Camilla has attended live shows, danced with former professional Brendan Cole, hosted a palace tea party for Strictly stars, and even filmed a special video message for the 2020 final, which was won by Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse.
She once told dancer Johannes Radebe:
“We all watch it.”
From BBC Spin-Off to Main Host
Claudia and Tess have both been part of Strictly’s journey since its launch in 2004.
Tess originally hosted the main programme alongside Sir Bruce Forsyth, while Claudia fronted the BBC2 spin-off It Takes Two.
After winning over BBC bosses, Claudia was promoted to co-host the Sunday results show, before officially becoming a full-time main presenter in 2014, following Sir Bruce’s decision to step back.
A Difficult Chapter for Strictly — And a Much-Needed Boost
The MBE honours have brought welcome positivity to the Strictly team after several turbulent years marked by complaints, controversies, and the departures of professionals Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima.
Celebrities Wynne Evans and Jamie Borthwick have also faced accusations of inappropriate behaviour during this year’s Strictly tour.
Against that backdrop, the royal recognition of Claudia and Tess has been seen as a powerful moment of celebration for the franchise.
From Cambridge to the King’s Castle
Claudia was raised in London in a media-connected household. Her mother Eve Pollard is a respected journalist and editor.
She studied Art History at Cambridge University, later launching her broadcasting career in the early 1990s with shows such as Holiday and as a travel writer and columnist.
Her profile soared when she hosted It Takes Two from 2004 to 2010, paving the way for her main Strictly hosting role.
Beyond Strictly, Claudia became a major star through The Great British Sewing Bee, BBC Radio 2, and later The Traitors, where she won a BAFTA for Best Entertainment Performance in 2023.
In 2025, it was announced that both Claudia and Tess would leave Strictly, sparking widespread speculation about what comes next — including talk of a future BBC primetime chat show for Claudia.
NEW: Claudia and Tess Speak on Their Exit — And Their Successors
In their most recent interview, Claudia and Tess both opened up about their emotional decision to step away from Strictly, admitting it was not an easy choice after so many years at the heart of the show.
However, both women shared that they fully trust the BBC to choose their successors with great care, and expressed hope that the new hosts will bring a fresh wave of energy to the ballroom.
They warmly added that they believe the next presenters will be:
“Wonderful people who truly love Strictly and are deeply devoted to its future.”
Tess Daly’s Emotional Royal Moment Still Fresh
Just last month, Tess Daly was also supported by husband Vernon Kay and lookalike daughter Phoebe, 21, as she received her MBE from King Charles.
Tess dedicated her honour to her late father Vivian, who died just 18 days after her wedding in 2003, calling it:
“The greatest honour of my career.”
She later said the King had “put her completely at ease” during the ceremony.
A Legacy Sealed with Royal Recognition
Off screen, Claudia has been married to film producer Kris Thykier since 2000. Her signature fringe and smoky eye look have become part of her identity, making her one of Britain’s most recognisable broadcasters.
From Cambridge lecture halls to Windsor Castle, Claudia’s career journey has now been sealed with royal recognition — marking not just an honour, but the closing of a legendary Strictly chapter.