Former Great British Bake Off icon Dame Mary Berry revealed that she had to restrain herself when Prince William made a surprise appearance at her 90th birthday celebration. The renowned culinary figure, considered a national treasure in Britain, was honored by a gathering of celebrities and royals for her milestone birthday.
Having turned 90 in March this year, Dame Mary was featured on The One Show where she was taken aback by Prince William’s message of congratulations. She admitted feeling overwhelmed by the unexpected gesture from the future king.
In an interview with Saga magazine, she shared her initial reaction to seeing Prince William on screen, stating, “I had to bite my lip, because you feel, ‘Oh my goodness gracious me!’ I was completely overwhelmed. I thought, ‘I must pull myself together.'”
Dame Mary also reminisced about her interactions with Prince William, highlighting his competitive nature. She mentioned that he once credited her for teaching him about cooking and acknowledged his and Catherine’s competitive streak.
During the special segment on the BBC program, Prince William conveyed his birthday wishes to Dame Mary, calling her a national treasure and expressing gratitude for their collaborations over the years. He humorously remarked about the potential criticisms of the cake being prepared for her special day.
The television personality’s journey to fame began in her twenties when she studied at Le Cordon Bleu school in Paris. Her breakthrough in television came at the age of 40, and she has since authored several successful cookery books, including a memoir in 2013.
Although known for various TV appearances, Dame Mary gained significant recognition for her role on the Great British Bake Off alongside Paul Hollywood. Most recently, her husband’s hospitalization due to a fall resulting in broken ribs has been a point of concern. Despite this, Dame Mary remains optimistic about his recovery, emphasizing their enduring bond after nearly six decades of marriage.