King Charles reportedly let out a "groan" before Claudia Winkleman's MBE ceremony as he received a warning, it has been claimed. Earlier this year, Claudia, known for her hosting roles on The Traitors and Strictly Come Dancing, was recognised, alongside Strictly co-presenter Tess Daly, in the King's Birthday Honours list.

It culminated last week (December 9) at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, where the monarch made Claudia a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to broadcasting. In the aftermath of the event, Claudia took to Instagram to express her joy, noting the "enormous honour". She said: "An incredible morning and an enormous honour. I'm speechless." Meanwhile, Charles reportedly received a warning in the run-up to the ceremony, according to the Mail's Ephraim Hardcastle, who claimed he uttered a "groan" upon learning a "sort-of relative" was on the guest list.

He also suggested that the King appeared to change his tune once he learned who this individual was, and "was in a much improved mood", with Ephraim implying that it may have been because he's a "fan".

He wrote: "The King, receiving a briefing before last week's investiture ceremony, was warned a 'sort-of relative' was on the list. A mole whispers that it prompted a groan from His Majesty, who muttered, 'another one?'

"Perhaps he was recalling Danny Dyer who, after discovering remote royal ancestry on a TV show, claimed kinship, telling Charles at a reception: 'Just wanted to let you know we're related (as well). King Edward III is my grandfather - but I won't go into it.'

"When the King found out it was Claudia Winkleman, sister of Lady Frederick Windsor (aka actress Sophie Winkleman) turning up to receive her MBE, the monarch, a Strictly fan, was in a much improved mood."

He is likely referring to a 2019 incident when EastEnders and Mean Machine actor Danny joked to the then-Prince Charles that he was enjoying a "family reunion" when he met the now-monarch at the Prince's Trust Awards.

His royal revelation came to light when he filmed the BBC genealogy show Who Do You Think You Are in 2016. In response, Charles said he had "discovered a long-lost relation with Daniel Dyer".

In a further comment about their reported ties, the King noted that he would be completing "some research" into the matter, reports the BBC, which added that Danny learned on the show that he was also related to Thomas Cromwell and William the Conqueror.

Lady Frederick Windsor, meanwhile, will be familiar to comedy fans, as she made appearances in the David Mitchell and Robert Webb-led sitcom Peep Show, and the US series Two and a Half Men.

In related news, Claudia, alongside Tess, recently shocked Strictly fans when the duo announced they would be parting ways with the BBC dance competition at the end of the current 2025 season.

In a joint statement, the presenters said: "We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time."

The Express has approached Buckingham Palace for comment.