Tess Daly and Anita Dobson among those honoured by the King today
Politician James Cleverly was also honoured with a knighthood at today's ceremony
Strictly host Tess Daly, actress Anita Dobson and politician James Cleverly have all been honoured at Windsor Castle today.
Strictly Come Dancing co-host Tess Daly has said being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) is the “greatest honour” of her career and one that she is dedicating to her late father.
The 56-year-old, who was made an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to broadcasting, was accompanied by her husband Vernon Kay during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.
Last month, Daly and her Strictly co-host Claudia Winkleman, who was also made an MBE, announced they would be leaving the popular BBC One dancing show after its Christmas special, having fronted the programme together since 2014.
Daly spoke about the programme with the King and said her put her “at ease” during the ceremony.
She said: “This is probably the greatest honour of my career and it still feels quite surreal to be honest with you.
“I’ve been working in television for 25 years, and it’s a job I absolutely love to do.
“It was a real privilege to be in a room of people who have made a difference in their communities, who have built incredible careers. It was a very inspiring environment.”
She added: “His Majesty put me at ease – I was quite nervous.
“We talked about the show and I know the Queen enjoys it.
“She sent me a letter of congratulations when I received the MBE which meant the world.”
OBE awarded to Anita Dobson
Former EastEnders star Anita Dobson was accompanied by husband Sir Brian May as she received an OBE for services to charitable fundraising and philanthropy.
The 76-year-old London-born actress, best known for playing Queen Vic landlady Angie Watts on the BBC soap, is a patron of several charities, including Thames Hospice and Focus Foundation, which provides support for grassroots charities and local organisations.
The actress is an ambassador for the Sick Children’s Trust and a former president of Phab, a charity that helps children and adults with and without disabilities to feel independent and confident.
Knighthood for James Cleverly
Shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly also received his knighthood during the same ceremony, which he was awarded in Rishi Sunak’s resignation honours list.
Detective Superintendent Katherine Goodwin, the Met Police chief who led the manhunt for the murderer of marketing executive Sarah Everard in 2021, received the King’s Police Medal.
Her investigation led to the conviction of Met police officer Wayne Couzens.