Mary Berry opens up about heartbreaking personal tragedy in royal TV show with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

Mary Berry joined forces with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for a festive special, where she also opened up about losing her son William when he was just 19-years-old.

The baking legend featured in A Berry Royal Christmas, a one-off programme where she helped Prince William and Duchess Catherine showcase the wonderful work they have been doing with some of the charities they’re patrons of.

On her way to meet Prince William at the homeless charity he supports – The Passage – Mary confessed to be less nervous as she already knows the royal because they’re both patrons of Child Bereavement UK.

“Prince William lost his mother at a very vulnerable age,” she says, “And we lost our son, aged 19, in a car accident. So, we both know what it is to be without someone very special.

“Christmas for us always holds mixed emotions and I try to think of other who might not be having the best time."

READ MORE: Royal fans in tears as Prince William pays poignant tribute to mother Princess Diana in Mary Berry’s festive special

This is not the first time the former Great British Bake Off has spoken about the pain of losing a son.

For the The One More Minute campaign campaign, Mary said in a very poignant video, “If I could have one more minute with William, what would I say to him?”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL_eX30bbQE

With her voice breaking in emotion, the star, who is also mum to daughter Annabel and son Thomas, continued, “I would thank him for being a brilliant son.”

READ MORE: Viewers spot ‘iconic’ moment between the Duchess of Cambridge and Mary Berry in new show

She’s also previously opened up about how she found out her son had sadly died.

“It was about 1pm. The doorbell rang and a policeman was there. Immediately, I knew why.

“He said, ‘There’s been an accident and I’m sorry to say your son is dead’.”

Continuing the explain how she and her husband Paul went to say goodbye to him in hospital, Mary said, “He just looked so beautiful and so lovely, his little cold face and it was nice to say farewell.”