King Charles joked that a former chancellor should “keep trying” to make Britain “great again” during today’s investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.
Sir Jeremy Hunt received his knighthood from the King, with the monarch offering a characteristically dry response to the former chancellor’s literary ambitions.
The 59-year-old Conservative MP revealed that when asked about his current activities, he mentioned working on a book about how to “make Britain great again”.
Sir Jeremy recounted: “He [King Charles] said, ‘Well, keep trying’, with a twinkle in his eye.”
King Charles urges former politician to ‘keep trying’ with making Britain ‘great again’
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The Surrey-raised politician, who previously held the roles of foreign secretary, health secretary and culture secretary, expressed feeling “a bit overwhelmed and very humbled” by the recognition.
“It’s a lovely moment. Politics is a lot of rough and tumble, but I feel incredibly honoured to be recognised in this way, so it’s a happy day,” he said.
Sir Jeremy also used the occasion to express his gratitude for a deeply personal gesture by the monarch.
Dame Sarah Anderson, founder and chief executive of suicide prevention charity The Listening Place, was invested as a Dame by the King at Royal Trinity Hospice in Clapham Common on December 5, just two days before she died.
Sir Jeremy Hunt’s knighthood was included in Rishi Sunak’s resignation honours list, alongside former foreign secretary James Cleverly
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PA“I thanked him because he visited the hospice last week and gave a damehood to a friend of mine, which was an incredible thing to do because she sadly passed away on Sunday, so he made a special journey to see her, and I think my friend was incredibly moved by that,” Sir Jeremy said.
“We’re so lucky with our King; we had a very nice chat,” he added.
The former chancellor also thanked the monarch for writing to his 11-year-old daughter, who had corresponded with him during his illness.
Dame Penny Mordaunt, who served in Rishi Sunak’s cabinet alongside Sir Jeremy, was also honoured at Windsor Castle.
Jeremy Hunt pictured receiving his knighthood from the King
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The 52-year-old former Commons leader remarked that the King appeared to be in excellent spirits despite what had clearly been a demanding schedule.
“It’s always lovely to see him and a real treat seeing him today. It’s great to see him in such great spirits. He’s clearly had a very busy week, but he was on very good form today,” she said.
The monarch had hosted German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife for a state visit the previous week.
Dame Penny, who grew up in Portsmouth and serves as a Navy reservist, described the investiture as a special occasion.
When the honour was first announced in June, Winkleman expressed her deep appreciation for the recognition
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PAShe played a memorable role in the King’s Coronation in 2023, processing with the Sword of State in a moment that captured widespread attention.
“I was aware I was a bit of a lightning rod for people’s attention, but it was very lovely because I got to hear about how everyone was feeling on that day and it was a day which brought the whole nation together and reminded us what we were all about as a country, so it was fabulous to be part of that,” she reflected.
Asked about the weight of the ceremonial sword, she offered practical advice: “Very. But I recommend Navy drill training to anyone considering the role.”
Tuesday’s investiture also saw wheelchair tennis champion Andy Lapthorne and broadcaster Claudia Winkleman receive honours, with Ms Winkleman made an MBE for services to broadcasting.