King Charles reportedly let out a "groan" before Claudia Winkleman's MBE ceremony after being told a "sort-of relative" was due to meet him. The monarch's reaction was disclosed by the Mail's Ephraim Hardcastle, who suggested the King's mood improved significantly once he realised the honouree was Claudia, a Strictly fan favourite.
Last year, Claudia, renowned for hosting The Traitors, was recognised alongside former Strictly Come Dancing co-presenter Tess Daly in the King's Birthday Honours list. The ceremony was held at Windsor Castle, where the monarch appointed Claudia a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her contributions to broadcasting.
Royal 'groan' and a change of heart
According to Ephraim Hardcastle, the King was given advance notice before the ceremony. He reported: "The King, receiving a briefing before last week's investiture ceremony, was warned a 'sort-of relative' was on the list. A mole whispers that it prompted a groan from His Majesty, who muttered, 'another one?'"
However, the King appeared to have a change of heart once he realised it was Claudia and "was in a much improved mood". Ephraim suggested this may have been because he was a "fan", reports the Mirror. He added: "When the King found out it was Claudia Winkleman, half-sister of Lady Frederick Windsor (aka actress Sophie Winkleman) turning up to receive her MBE, the monarch, a Strictly fan, was in a much improved mood."
Danny Dyer's royal connection
Perhaps the King was recalling Danny Dyer, who, after discovering remote royal ancestry on a TV show, claimed kinship, telling Charles at a reception: 'Just wanted to let you know we're related (as well). King Edward III is my grandfather - but I won't go into it.'
He was presumably referring to a 2019 occasion when EastEnders and Mean Machine actor Danny Dyer joked to the then-Prince Charles that he was enjoying a "family reunion" while meeting the now-King at the Prince's Trust Awards. Danny's connection to royalty came to light during his 2016 appearance on the BBC genealogy programme Who Do You Think You Are? Charles replied by acknowledging that he had "discovered a long-lost relation with Daniel Dyer".
In a later comment about their supposed family links, the King revealed he would be conducting "some research" into the claim, reports the BBC, which also noted that Danny discovered on the programme that he was descended from Thomas Cromwell and William the Conqueror.
Claudia's current TV role
Lady Frederick Windsor, meanwhile, will be familiar to comedy fans, having appeared in the David Mitchell and Robert Webb-led sitcom Peep Show, as well as the American series Two and a Half Men.
After the occasion, Claudia expressed her joy on Instagram, calling it an "enormous honour". She wrote: "An incredible morning and an enormous honour. I'm speechless."
Claudia is currently appearing on our TV screens in The Celebrity Traitors, alongside contestants from the worlds of television, film, radio and YouTube. This year's stars include James Blunt, Michael Sheen, Maya Jama and Rob Beckett.
The Mirror has contacted Buckingham Palace for a response. The next episode of The Celebrity Traitors airs on Friday, October 16, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
