Claudia Winkleman Honoured by the King in a Milestone Moment
So, let me tell you about this really lovely moment for one of British television’s most familiar faces. Claudia Winkleman, known for her trademark fringe, sharp wit, and unwavering presence on our screens, has been made an MBE by King Charles III. The honour was presented during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, and honestly, the whole occasion felt like a celebration of her entire journey in broadcasting.
Claudia arrived dressed in a crisp white suit, complete with a matching headband and a simple black shirt. It was classic Claudia—stylish without trying too hard. She was joined by her family, including her mother, journalist Eve Pollard, and it was clear from the photos that they were all incredibly proud. After the ceremony, she posted on Instagram that it had been “an incredible morning and an enormous honour,” adding that she was speechless—which, coming from Claudia, says a lot.
This honour comes after a remarkable few years for her. The success of The Traitors has played a big role in cementing her status as a national favourite. She won a Bafta in 2023 for her brilliantly deadpan hosting style, and the show continues to pull in huge audiences; the celebrity edition recently reached a peak of 12 million viewers. But long before The Traitors , Claudia had already earned her place in the nation’s heart through Strictly Come Dancing . She first appeared on It Takes Two , moved to co-presenting the Sunday results show with Tess Daly in 2010, and by 2014 the duo were hosting the main Saturday night show together.
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This year, Claudia and Tess announced that they’ll be leaving Strictly after the current series, with their Christmas Day special marking their final bow. They described their time together on the show as “an absolute dream,” and said they always knew they would leave as a pair. The honour from the King feels almost like a perfect bookend to this era of her career.
Claudia’s sister, actress Sophie Winkleman, is already connected to the Royal family through her marriage to Lord Frederick Windsor, so this royal moment felt fitting in more ways than one.
Beyond Strictly and The Traitors , Claudia’s career has spanned an impressive range of shows— Comic Relief , The Great British Sewing Bee , The Piano , Hell’s Kitchen , BBC Radio 2 programmes, and even BBC One’s Film series. She was also given the Royal Television Society’s outstanding achievement award earlier this year. When her MBE was first announced, she said she was “incredibly grateful” and insisted the honour belonged to “the BBC, the Traitors and the Faithful, for pianos and for the cha cha.”
And as if the day weren’t already star-studded, artist Sir Antony Gormley was also honoured at the same ceremony, becoming a Companion of Honour.
All in all, it was a moment that acknowledged not just Claudia’s work, but the warmth, humour, and energy she’s brought to British television for decades.
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