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Claudia Winkleman smiles ear to ear after officially being made an MBE

Winkleman and her Strictly Come Dancing co-host Tess Daly were both made MBEs today

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Claudia Winkleman after being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by King Charles III.
Claudia Winkleman after being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by King Charles III. Picture: Alamy

By Alice Padgett

TV presenter Claudia Winkleman has been photographed smiling ear to ear after officially being made an MBE at Windsor Castle.

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Winkleman, 53, and her Strictly Come Dancing co-host Tess Daly were both made MBEs in the King's Birthday Honours for services to broadcasting.

They announced last month that they will leave the show after fronting it together since 2014.

Their last appearance will be the Christmas special, which will air on December 25.

Last week it was confirmed The Traitors will return to screens on New Year's Day.

She later shared a photograph with the King on Instagram, writing: “An incredible morning and an enormous honour. I’m speechless.”

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Claudia Winkleman, is made a Member of the Order of the British Empire.
Claudia Winkleman, is made a Member of the Order of the British Empire. Picture: Alamy

Winkleman will return to the Scottish Highlands to front the show, in which a new batch of faithful civilians attempt to weed out the murderous traitors before the prize pot is snatched away.

In the first series of Celebrity Traitors, comedian Alan Carr snatched victory from faithful historian David Olusoga and actor Nick Mohammed.

Former cabinet minister Dame Penny Mordaunt, who played a prominent role during the King's coronation in 2023, will be at the Castle on Tuesday. She was made a dame for political and public service.

Her profile was boosted by her sword-carrying role as Lord President of the Council during the coronation ceremony.

Barry Winkleman, Eve Pollard, Claudia Winkleman and Kris Thykier after Ms Winkleman was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire.
Barry Winkleman, Eve Pollard, Claudia Winkleman and Kris Thykier after Ms Winkleman was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire. Picture: Alamy

Dressed in a custom-made teal outfit with matching cape, and headband with gold feather embroidery, she was responsible for bearing the Sword of State and presenting the Jewelled Sword of Offering to the King, the first time the duty had been carried out by a woman.

Mother and daughter Alison Madgin, 60, and Carly Barrett, 34, are being made MBEs for services to the prevention of knife crime.

Ms Madgin's daughter, Samantha Madgin, was a new mother aged 18 when she was stabbed to death in Wallsend in 2007. Her son was just 68 days old when she died.

Ms Madgin and Ms Barrett set up Samantha's Legacy, a community interest company, in 2019, and have since given talks to young people across the north east of England about the dangers of carrying knives.

Former chancellor of the Exchequer Sir Jeremy Hunt will officially receive his knighthood for political and public service, which he was awarded with ex-foreign secretary James Cleverly in Rishi Sunak's resignation honours.