Paul Hollywood receives an MBE for services to broadcasting and baking from Princess Anne as he admits he would pick William and Kate to appear on Bake Off: ‘They would be more than welcome!’
Celebrity baker Paul Hollywood was awarded an MBE at Windsor Castle on Wednesday for his services to baking and broadcasting.
TV star Paul, 57, has been a judge on the hit TV show since it started in 2010, first alongside Dame Mary Berry and then Dame Prue Leith.
Paul, who received his honor from the Princess Royal, said he would love for the Prince and Princess of Wales to appear on the show.
Speaking after the ceremony, Paul said he had felt ‘very proud’ to have been appointed MBE, but wished his grandmother had been alive to witness it.
He explained: ‘I was over the moon. When I first found out, I told my mom and she was quiet on the phone, which is quite unusual for my mom.
Celebrity baker Paul Hollywood was awarded an MBE at Windsor Castle on Wednesday for his services to baking and broadcasting
Paul, who received his honor from the Princess Royal, said he would love the Prince and Princess of Wales to appear in the show (pictured with Princess Anne)
He said: ‘I’ve always loved the Princess Royal’ (pictured at the inauguration)
‘I wish my grandmother had seen it. She adored the Royal Family, as did all of us.
“But specifically she would have been over the moon. But my mom was here today, so she loved it.”
When asked which royal he would pick to join the Bake Off tent, Paul said: ‘I think I’d go for Kate and Will – they’d be more than welcome!’
He later spoke about Princess Anne, who chaired the ceremony, and said he had previously met her at Buckinham Palace.
He said: ‘I’ve always loved the Princess Royal.
‘I met her a few years ago at Buckingham Palace when things were not going well for the (then) Duke of Edinburgh. We were all with members of the Royal Family and I happened to be there with Princess Anne. So to see her again today was fantastic.
‘She did say: ‘Baking is so in the DNA of all of us. We love the smell.’ And I said, “Absolutely, I grew up with the smell.”
“I think she especially likes Chelsea sandwiches. I promised her something, so I put myself out there.”
When asked if the royal family was a fan of the show, Hollywood admitted that they were “fully aware of it, yes.”
TV star Paul, 57, has been a judge on the hit TV show since it started in 2010, first alongside Dame Mary Berry and then Dame Prue Leith.
After the ceremony, Paul said he felt ‘very proud’ to have been made an MBE, but wished his grandmother had been alive to witness it
He explained: ‘I was over the moon. When I first found out I told my mom and she was quiet on the phone which is quite unusual for my mom
Bake Off made Paul a household name and he moved with the show when it switched from the BBC to Channel 4 in 2016.
When asked about both his future and the future of the program, he said, “I’m not going anywhere yet. Season 15 starts soon. That’s what we’re going to work on, the American version and the Stand Up To Cancer Bake Off.
‘So the rest of the year is full of Bake Off, which I love.
‘It has grown into a global brand. We get these big celebrities contacting me and coming to set.
‘We’re just amazed. This little baking program in a tent has caused quite a stir.
“So I guess it’s more of the same. It’s not broken, so there’s no point in trying to fix it.
‘The bakers are getting better and better every year. The standard is great and we all love being in our second home, the Bake Off tent.”
Paul also confirmed he was working on a new book about ‘celebrating Christmas, Easter and festivals throughout the year’.
He added: “It’s a festive side of baking. It’s more fun and relaxing.’
He later spoke about Princess Anne, who chaired the ceremony, and said he had previously met her at Buckinham Palace.