Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Matthew Dresch

Prince William gives royal honour to Kate's bodyguard and Harry and Meghan's wedding chef


Kate Middleton's bodyguard has been handed a royal honour.

Sergeant Emma Probert has protected the Princess of Wales since her engagement to William in November 2010.

Prince William today made the armed officer a member of the Royal Victorian Order for her tireless service.

Meanwhile, royal household chef Mark Flanagan is being made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order.

Mr Flanagan was head chef at Harry and Meghan's wedding reception, preparing around 7,500 items of food alongside 25 other chefs.

DON'T MISS:

King Charles pays subtle tribute to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Millionaire couple lose war with neighbour over 3ft land-grab after paving garden

Helen Skelton breaks silence with sweet pic of her three kids after ex husband's baby news

He also cooked for former US President Barack Obama during his state dinner in 2016 and served as the Queen's personal chef before her death.

Sgt Probert beamed as she received the honour (PA)
The officer has protected Kate since her engagement to William (PA)

The royal cook previously said Her Majesty "loved" for her dinner menu to be written in French.

He told Town and Country Magazine that if he got an accent wrong or mixed up the masculine and feminine on the menus, the Queen would let him know.

Acclaimed actress Dame Vanessa Redgrave and Conservative former minister Dame Andrea Leadsom are also receiving honours at Buckingham Palace today.

Mark Flanagan was made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (PA)
Mark Flanagan was the Queen's personal chef (PA)

Dame Vanessa is being recognised for services to drama, while Dame Andrea is being honoured for political service.

Dame Vanessa, 85, has been nominated for six Academy Awards during her career, winning the Oscar for best supporting actress in 1977 for her role in Julia, in which she starred alongside Jane Fonda.

When it was announced she was being made a dame in the New Year Honours, she said she was "surprised and grateful to join this wondrous group of British artists whose work has inspired me and audiences the world over".

Mr Flanagan cooked at Harry and Meghan's wedding reception (AFP)

As well as her acting career she has also been a tireless activist for a number of causes, including calling for better support for the cultural sector and joining protests in 2020 over plans to cut jobs following the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

Dame Andrea, MP for South Northamptonshire, entered Parliament in 2010 after a 25-year career in banking and finance.

Dame Vanessa was recognised for services to drama (PA)
Dame Andrea Leadsom was honoured for political service (PA)

A prominent Brexiteer, the former business secretary resigned as leader of the House of Commons in 2019 amid a backlash against former prime minister Theresa May's Brexit plan.

Dame Andrea said she was "deeply honoured" to be recognised when her damehood was announced in June last year, adding: "It is an immense privilege to be recognised for service to politics.

READ MORE:    Millionaire couple lose war with neighbour over 3ft land-grab after paving garden
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.