Mary Berry reveals why Damehood honour is bittersweet: 'I am overwhelmed'

Congratulations!

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It's that time of year again when the Queen announces her Birthday Honours list. This year, it included Joe Wicks and Marcus Rashford, lockdown legends. As well as, baking queen, Mary Berry.

The baker and formerGreat British Bake Off judge has become somewhat of a national treasure over her six-decade career. She said, "I am absolutely overwhelmed to receive this very great honour. For most of my life, I have been lucky enough to follow my passion to teach cookery through books and the media."

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Although she was already well-known, Mary rose to fame following GBBO's popularity as she delighted viewers with her cheeky manner and warm nature. Viewers also became fond of her bright and daring fashion choices.

Her Damehood has been awarded for services to broadcasting.

In the 1960s Mary was the cookery editor of Housewife magazine, prior to this she trained at Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in Paris. In the early 70s, she joined TV world with Afternoon Plus. Alongside this, she wrote books and continued to film the BBC series from home in Buckinghamshire. In2017 she won a National Television Award for her work on Bake Off.

No stranger to the Royals,Mary received a CBE in 2012 for services to culinary arts.

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But this year's award was received with a sense of melancholy. She would've lovedher late parents and brother to have been aliveto see it.

She said, "I am absolutely overwhelmed to receive this very great honour.

"I just wish my parents and brothers were here to share my joy, as my only achievement at school was just one O-level in cookery of course!"

Continuing she said, "I am sure they are looking down and smiling. I will celebrate with my husband and family very soon."

Rachel is a freelance contributor to woman&home, covering news as well as books, lifestyle and travel. Her byline has also appeared in The Independent, The Financial Times, ELLE Magazine, VICE, Glamour Magazine and others. She loves nothing more than talking with people to share their stories. When she is not writing you will definitely find her nose in a book or magazine, or perhaps training for the next half marathon, practicing yoga or eating in London's best restaurants.