PAUL HOLLYWOOD

SHOWSTOPPING DAY OUT FOR BAKER AS HE RECEIVES M.B.E.

It is the ultimate upper-crust appointment, but although others might crumble at the prospect of a face-to-face with the Princess Royal, Paul Hollywood proved himself more than capable of rising to the challenge – and even gave Anne one of his coveted Hollywood handshakes.

The chef and judge of The Great British Bake Off last week made the trip to Windsor Castle, where he accepted his MBE for services to baking and broadcasting (above and below right).

“I’ve always been fond of the Princess Royal,” Paul, 58, said. “I met her a few years ago, so to see her again today was fantastic. I was over the moon.”

Adding that he would like to see the popular royal take part in the show, Paul said Princess Anne had told him: “Baking is so integral to the DNA of us all. We love the smell.”

And he revealed that he had made a pledge to her. “I think she’s particularly fond of Chelsea buns. I promised her some, so I put myself on the spot there,” he said.

Paul, the only member of the original team still in the Bake Off tent, was accompanied by family including his mother, Gill, who was one of the first people he told about the honour. Posting a photo of his big moment on Instagram, he wrote: “Doesn’t happen everyday! I’m very chuffed as you can probably see; my family and I had a great time.”

Also taking home a new title was novelist Kate Mosse, 62, who was made a CBE. Honoured for services to literature, women and charity, the best-selling author and co-founder of the Women’s Prize for Literature was joined by her husband Greg, daughter Martha and son Felix and called it “such a pleasure”.