In a stunning and emotional moment on Saturday night, Strictly Come Dancing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman received a royal send-off from none other than Queen Camilla during their final live show. The pair, who are stepping down from the flagship BBC series, were visibly moved as a surprise tribute was read out just before the results were revealed.
A Royal Message for a Landmark Finale
The poignant message was delivered by long-standing judge Craig Revel Horwood, a fixture on the show since its launch in 2004. He revealed the words were a personal tribute from Her Royal Highness, a devoted fan of the ballroom competition who has followed the programme for years. The Queen's intervention provided a truly memorable climax to an era-defining evening for the popular entertainment series.
The Heartfelt Words from the Queen
In her message, Queen Camilla framed Strictly Come Dancing as a show about friendship and shared endeavour, rather than just dancing. She praised the unique partnership between Daly and Winkleman, suggesting it may have been "the greatest strictly partnership of all."
The Queen wrote: "The warmth, compassion, and sheer happiness you have radiated with and from each other has been at the heart of the show's success." She concluded by telling the hosts, "I think I speak for everyone when I say you have been utterly fabulous," and urged them to "keep dancing."
The End of an Era for Strictly
Tess Daly has co-hosted the BBC programme since its inception, originally alongside the late Sir Bruce Forsyth. Claudia Winkleman first joined the Strictly universe on the companion show It Takes Two before stepping into the main presenting role years later. Their joint announcement earlier this year that they would be leaving marks a significant changing of the guard for one of British television's most beloved programmes.
The royal tribute underscored the show's cultural significance, bridging entertainment and national tradition. As the curtain falls on this chapter, the search for their successors begins, but the legacy of Daly and Winkleman's partnership, now royally endorsed, will be a hard act to follow.
