The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge teamed up with Mary Berry to cook up a festive storm for some of their patronages, and their baking session will be on TV!
The programme will see the nation’s favourite chef, Mary Berry, join Prince William and Kate at some of their charitable engagements over the course of the year. It culminates in a baking session for a party the couple hosted ‘to thank and acknowledge staff and volunteers from charities and organisations who will be working tirelessly over the Christmas period’.
Prince William and Kate do some baking with Mary Berry (KP/BBC)
They helped bake treats for these people, using recipes thought up by Berry herself. More info on that party, held last week, here.
The episode also showed a conversation between Prince William and Mary. It was filmed during a secret visit to the homeless charity, The Passage, in October; he became their patron back in February. The Duke paid tribute to his parents and grandparents for their charity work: “Growing up both of my parents were hugely charitable. My father set up the Prince’s Trust. He’s involved in so many different organisations.
“My mother has done her work with homelessness and as you said AIDs and other charities and I think I’ve grown up in a household which has been very much a case of ‘well, we’re very lucky – you must give back.
The Cambridges were joined by Mary Berry and Naidya hussian, a former Bake Off winner (KP/BBC)
“And you know, my grandmother becoming Queen at a very young age, in the days when it was a man’s world, it was very difficult for her to … make a difference. And she’s done it. In her own very unique, distinct way, and you know, my grandmother and my grandfather together are the epitome of public service.
“And I personally get a lot out of helping people. I find that you hear and you understand and you learn so much more by giving a bit of your time, a bit of your day, to just be around.”
The Cambridges first met Mary Berry through William’s work with Child Bereavement; Mary Berry lost her son when he was just 19 years old. You might remember the ‘One More Minute’ video, in which the Duke spoke about grief and loss from 2017 for the charity.
We also got to see some of the behind the scenes when Catherine met Mary back in September, at RHS Wisley.
The Duchess of Cambridge and Mary Berry at RHS Wisley on September (Kensington Palace/BBC)
We also learnt that The Duchess of Cambridge returned to The Brink in Liverpool, which she visited back in 2012. Mary joined her at the Dry Bar, which is a space to help those recovering from addiction.
“I am honoured that The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have invited me to join them on four of their royal charity engagements this Christmas,” said Mary Berry, a chef with decades of experience. “It will be truly special to see the causes so close to their hearts, as well as to hear all about the amazing support these charities provide. The finale is a big Christmas party and I will be cooking up a feast for them to enjoy. A-one hour Christmas special not to be missed.”
The BBC said of the programme: “Throughout the programme Mary will also be cooking some of her favourite Christmas recipes for viewers to try out at home as she helps prepare the festive food for a very royal event to thank all those working and volunteering over the Christmas period.”
You can see Monday 16th December at 8:30pm on BBC One.
1 comment
I am very impressed with warm concerns of Prince William and Catherine to wish all the people Merry Christmas. I would like to wish Merry Christmas to the beautiful Cambridge family.