Mary Berry, 86, is made a Dame Commander by Prince Charles for a lifetime of cooking, writing and baking and is supported by husband Paul at Windsor Castle The leading cookery writer and broadcaster, 86, has published more than 50 books during a career spanning more than five decades Dame Mary dressed in a chic white dress and hat as she received the accolade from Prince Charles on Wednesday She then posed afterwards with her husband Paul Hunnings whom she married in 1966 By Amelia Wynne For Mailonline Published: 12:37 BST, 20 October 2021 | Updated: 12:42 BST, 20 October 2021 Viewcomments Mary Berry has been made a Dame Commander by the Prince of Wales for a lifetime of cooking, writing and baking. The former Great British Bake Off judge, 86, has published more than 50 books during a career spanning more than five decades and was honoured during a Windsor Castle investiture ceremony. Dame Mary dressed in a chic white dress and hat as she received the accolade from Prince Charles on Wednesday, before posing afterwards with her husband Paul Hunnings. Honour: Mary Berry has been made a Dame Commander by the Prince of Wales for a lifetime of cooking, writing and baking She has become a popular figure with home cooks in recent years, thanks to her previous judging role on The Great British Bake Off series and hosting her own programmes including Celebrity Best Home Cook. Dame Mary is also recognised for her charity work and is patron of Child Bereavement UK. Two investitures were held on the same day, in what is believed to be a first, for 'practical' reasons a Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said, with Charles hosting the first and the Princess Royal the second. All smiles: Dame Mary dressed in a chic white dress and hat as she received the accolade from Prince Charles on Wednesday, before posing afterwards with her husband Paul Hunnings Happy: The leading cookery writer and broadcaster, 86, has published more than 50 books during a career spanning more than five decades and was honoured during a Windsor Castle investiture ceremony The ceremonies resumed in June after being halted during the pandemic, and there are likely to be a number of recipients who have waited to be honoured by a member of the royal family, rather than opting for a local presentation or receiving the honour in the post. Also being recognised was Sir Philip May the husband of former prime minister Theresa May, who will be knighted by Charles for political service. Sir Philip was the UK's second male consort, and away from supporting his wife forged his own successful career in the finance sector. Success: She has become a popular figure with home cooks in recent years, thanks to her previous judging role on The Great British Bake Off series and hosting her own programmes Kind: Dame Mary is also recognised for her charity work and is patron of Child Bereavement UK Steven Knight, the film director and screenwriter who wrote the film Spencer about three days in the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, and created the popular drama Peaky Blinders, will be made a CBE. Karen Gibson, founder and director of the Kingdom Choir which performed during the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's wedding, will be made an MBE. Mary has been married to Paul Hunnings for over fifty years. They've had three children together, Thomas, Annabel and William. William sadly passed away in a car crash at the age of 19. Achievement: Mary Berry is made a Dame Commander by the Prince of Wales for a lifetime of cooking, writing and baking during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle Beautiful: Mary beamed at Prince Charles as she chatted to him at Windsor Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility