Famed baker Paul Hollywood was awarded an MBE at Windsor Castle for services to baking and broadcasting on Wednesday.
TV star Paul, 57, has been a judge on the hit TV show since it began in 2010, co-hosting first with Dame Mary Berry and then Dame Prue Leith.
Paul, who was handed the honor by 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 being appointed MBE had left him “very proud” but he wished his grandmother had been alive to witness it.
He explained: ‘I was delighted. When I (first found out) I told my mom and she was silent on the phone, which is quite unusual for my mom.
Famed baker Paul Hollywood was awarded an MBE at Windsor Castle for services to baking and broadcasting on Wednesday.
Paul, who was handed the honor by the Princess Royal, said he would love for the Prince and Princess of Wales to appear on the show (pictured with Princess Anne).
He said: “I’ve always liked the Princess Royal” (in the investiture photo)
‘I wish my grandmother had seen it. She was very fond of the royal family, like all of us.
But specifically she would have been delighted. But my mother was here today and she loved it.”
When asked which royal he would choose to compete in the Bake Off tent, Paul said: “I think I would choose Kate and Will – they would be more than welcome!”
He later spoke of Princess Anne, who presided over the ceremony, and said he had met her before at Buckinham Palace.
He said: ‘I’ve always liked the Princess Royal.
“I met her a few years ago at Buckingham Palace, when the (then) Duke of Edinburgh was not feeling very well. We were all with members of the royal family and I was there with Princess Anne. So seeing her again today was fantastic.
“She said: ‘Baking is an integral part of all of us’ DNA. We love the smell.” And I said “absolutely, I grew up with the smell.”
“I think he especially likes Chelsea buns. I promised him something, so I put myself on the spot.
When asked if the royal family were fans of the show, Hollywood confessed that they were “fully aware of it, yes.”
TV star Paul, 57, has been a judge on the hit TV show since it began in 2010, co-presenting first with Dame Mary Berry and then Dame Prue Leith.
Speaking after the ceremony, Paul said being appointed MBE had left him “very proud” but he wished his grandmother had been alive to witness it.
He explained: ‘I was delighted. When I (first found out) I told my mom and she was silent 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 moved from the BBC to Channel 4 in 2016.
When asked about his future and the future of the show, he said, “I’m not going anywhere yet.” Season 15 will start soon. We’ll work on that, the American version and Stand Up To Cancer Bake Off.
‘So for the rest of the year everything will be full of Bake Off, which I love.
‘It has taken off as a global brand. We have these big A-list celebrities contacting me and coming to set.
“We are just stunned. This little tent baking program has created quite a stir.
“So I think it’s more of the same. It’s not broken, so there’s no point in trying to fix it.
‘The bakers get better every year. The level is incredible and we all love being in our second home, which is the Bake Off store.”
Paul also confirmed that he was working on a new book that will be about “celebrating Christmas, Easter and the holidays all year round.”
He added: “It’s very much a festive aspect of baking.” It’s more fun and more relaxed.’
He later spoke about Princess Anne, who presided over the ceremony, and said he had met her before at Buckinham Palace.