Mary Berry’s BBC festive special is set to get the royal treatment as the TV chef teams up with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge this December.
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As new preview pictures show, Kate Middleton and Prince William will join the former Great British Bake Off judge as she visits a host of charities across the country whose staff work throughout the holidays.
Inspired by the visits, Berry will design a fittingly festive feast for a special party laid on by the royals.
The sneak peek photos show both the Duchess and Duke preparing treats with Berry in the winter chalet at the Rosewood London Hotel (see main image).
And the trio will be joined by Bake Off winner and presenter Nadiya Hussain to put together some Christmas meringue roulades.
The new photos also show Berry and the royals visiting charities including London’s The Passage, which provides support for homeless and vulnerable people.
The Duke of Cambridge and Mary Berry listening to a group conversation at The Passage, London.
The Duchess of Cambridge talking at The Brink, the UK’s first dry bar set up by Action on Addiction, that provides a safe space for people who are suffering from addiction.
The images also show Middleton decorating cakes with Berry at RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey, which contains a woodland area designed by the Duchess: the Back to Nature Garden.
When asked by Mary at the Passage here his motivation for charitable work all started, The Duke responded:
“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.’
"And 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 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.”
Speaking about the Duke and Duchess, Berry said: “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!"
Although an exact airdate for the one-off hour special has yet to be revealed, viewers can expect A Berry Royal Christmas to air on BBC1.
Thomas is Digital editor at BBC Science Focus. Writing about everything from cosmology to anthropology, he specialises in the latest psychology, health and neuroscience discoveries. Thomas has a Masters degree (distinction) in Magazine Journalism from the University of Sheffield and has written for Men’s Health, Vice and Radio Times. He has been shortlisted as the New Digital Talent of the Year at the national magazine Professional Publishers Association (PPA) awards. Also working in academia, Thomas has lectured on the topic of journalism to undergraduate and postgraduate students at The University of Sheffield.
