King Charles has added a touch of royal sparkle to Tess Daly’s glittering career.
The Strictly Come Dancing host, was presented with an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for her services to broadcasting, marking what she described as “probably the greatest honour” of her career.
Daly attended the ceremony at Windsor Castle alongside her husband, fellow presenter Vernon Kay, and revealed that his warm demeanor helped put her completely at ease.
“It still feels quite surreal to be honest with you,” she said.
“I’ve been working in television for 25 years, and it’s a job I absolutely love to do.”
The accolade comes shortly after Daly and longtime co-host Claudia Winkleman announced they would be stepping down from the BBC show after its Christmas special, giving the MBE a particularly timely and sparkling sentimental value.
Tess Daly called it a day she’ll never forget meeting King Charles and receiving her MBE at Windsor Castle was “a real privilege,” she told reporters.
Surrounded by inspiring figures who have made a difference in their communities, the host described the atmosphere as “very inspiring” and admitted she was “quite nervous” meeting the monarch.
The conversation quickly turned to Strictly, with Daly revealing that Queen Camilla is a fan of the show and even sent a letter of congratulations on her MBE.
Charles also praised Daly’s work with his charity, The King’s Trust, highlighting the difference the funds have made for young people. “I’m very proud to be an ambassador of this charity,” she said.
Reflecting on the experience, Daly added, “It’s just incredible to be welcomed into a royal residence by a member of the royal family, the King no less. To have such an honour bestowed upon you is something 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, it would be my late dad, he’d be so proud of his daughter meeting the King, in a castle.”
