Queen Camilla sends royal tribute as Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman say farewell to Strictly Come Dancing

Queen Camilla sent a royal tribute to Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as they prepared to say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing during Saturday’s live final, marking the end of an era for the BBC ballroom show’s most enduring presenting duo. The note, read aloud by long-standing judge Craig Revel Horwood, appeared to come from the Queen Consort herself and acknowledged the pair’s impact beyond mere competition on the dance floor.

The message opened with a familiar refrain from Horwood, who told viewers that he was nervous but insisted the words were official. He then read the letter in which Her Majesty described the duo as the heart of the show, saying, “Tess and Claudia, as you prepare to take your final twirl, I just want to say thank you on behalf of the millions who watch you each week.” The missive continued to praise the hosts for turning Strictly into a show about friendship, resilience, and shared joy, rather than simply a competition of dance skills. The letter closed with a personal touch: “With the warmest gratitude and admiration, Her Royal Highness, Queen Camilla.”

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman reacted with palpable emotion as Horwood conveyed the royal tribute, struggling to hold back tears. Daly, 56, who has co-hosted the flagship BBC series since its 2004 launch alongside Bruce Forsyth, paused to speak when the moment allowed. “I can’t speak now. What an honour,” she said, before adding, “Thank you so much for your lovely words, from the bottom of my heart it means so much to us.” Winkleman, who first joined the Strictly universe on It Takes Two before stepping into a main presenting role, echoed the sentiment, telling viewers, “That is amazing, what a wonderful surprise. Thank you so much. We have loved being part of such a wonderful show. It has been a privilege to be a part of your weekends.”

The emotional farewell followed the couple’s announcement earlier in the year that they would be leaving Strictly, bringing to an end more than two decades on the show. Daly and Winkleman revealed that the time had come to pass the baton after 21 years of joy, partnership, and public adoration. In their joint statement, Daly expressed that Strictly had become more than a job—it felt like “a third child, a second family, and a huge part of my life since that very first show back in 2004.” Winkleman described hosting the series as “the greatest relationship of my career,” signaling that the partnership would continue to be remembered long after their final curtain call.

The final aired a tribute montage that highlighted the hosts’ trajectory over the years, interlaced with praise from staff members and colleagues who called the pair “ground breaking,” “fabulous,” and “the nation’s icons.” Food-network luminary Mary Berry also made a cameo appearance to extend her well-wishes, telling viewers that Daly and Winkleman “give us joy, you give us sparkle, and I wish you well.” For many fans, the segment reinforced the sense that the duo had become more than broadcasters; they were synonymous with a shared weekend ritual and the warmth of a long-running Saturday tradition.

As celebration of a storied era drew to a close, the show’s montage reinforced the scale of the moment. Daly and Winkleman were repeatedly described as the heart of Strictly’s public persona, with colleagues noting that their chemistry helped shape a program that elevated dance into a communal celebration. The royal letter’s inclusion added a ceremonial layer to the farewell, underscoring the cultural reach of the entertainment milestone and the show’s resonance beyond UK television screens.

The tone on set was a blend of nostalgia and gratitude. Daly reflected that the experience had woven into the fabric of her family life, with her children growing up in the orbit of the show. Winkleman, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of acknowledging the crew and the staff who make Strictly possible, saying, “We have to thank the Strictly team, because Strictly is the people who make it.” The episode’s closing moments offered a gentle note of continuity, a recognition that while Daly and Winkleman will depart the studio stage, Strictly’s legacy would endure through the memories forged by years of performances, celebrations, and shared moments of joy.

In the wake of the reference from Buckingham Palace, the broadcast signaled a poignant moment of transition for the BBC’s flagship dance format. The producers have not announced plans to replace the pair in the immediate future, but the industry widely expects that Strictly’s next chapters will honor their legacy while introducing fresh talent to carry the show forward. For now, fans are left with a sense of closure on a chapter that defined a generation of Saturday-night viewing, alongside a reminder that entertainment, at its best, is built on human connection, steady partnership, and the universal language of dance.