Paul Hollywood today revealed that Princess Anne, who has an especial penchant for Chelsea buns, would be the perfect candidate to appear on Great British Bake Off. The 58-year-old spoke at Windsor Castle today to admit that he’s always been fond of her, as he celebrated the success of his “global brand”.

He told the PA agency after accepting his MBE in a stylish navy blue suit: “I met her a few years ago at Buckingham Palace when the (then) Duke of Edinburgh wasn’t very well. We were all with members of the royal family and I just happened to be there with Princess Anne, so to see her again today was fantastic.”

He shared a snippet from their conversation, revealing: “She did say ‘baking is so integral to the DNA of us all. We love the smell’.” He replied: “Absolutely, I grew up with the smell!”

However, Paul also thinks he may have bitten off more than he can chew by making a vow to provide the princess with her favourite food. “I think she’s particularly fond of Chelsea buns. I promised her some, so I put myself on the spot there,” he exclaimed.

He added that he wished his late grandmother – a huge fan of the royals – could have been alive to see him mark his special day. “She was very fond of the royal family, as we all are… she would’ve been over the moon,” he admitted.

However, he added that his wowed mum was present, who’d initially gone eerily silent on the phone when he broke the big news of his MBE to her.

Paul has come from humble beginnings, starting off as a baker in his father’s small business, before going on to become head baker at hotels both in Britain and abroad.

It wasn’t until his Bake Off success that he became a celebrated household name.

He’s currently working on the show’s 15th series, as well as an American version and a charitable edition in aid of Stand Up To Cancer.

“For the rest of the year it’s going to be full on Bake Off!” he vowed, admitting he’s “gobsmacked” by how the show has taken off as a huge “global brand”.

“This little baking programme in a tent has created this huge stir!” he exclaimed.

It’s not without its tension, as he previously admitted he is “constantly” fighting with co-star Mary Berry over the correct way to create scones.

He also revealed that fame – something he’d never expected to achieve before his career took off when he turned 40 – can be “horrendous” at times.

That said, Paul – whose skin is now “like a crocodile” – is on a high over his latest accolade and looking forward to working on both the next series of Bake Off and a “celebratory” new baking-themed book.