Rachel Riley supported by Pasha Kovalev as she accepts MBE from King Charles

11 July 2023 , 16:49
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Rachel Riley supported by Pasha Kovalev as she accepts MBE from King Charles
Rachel Riley supported by Pasha Kovalev as she accepts MBE from King Charles

Rachel Riley was supported by husband Pasha Kovalev as she accepted her MBE from King Charles III.

The Countdown maths whizz looked elegant in a baby pink textured dress, with a chic matching fascinator, as she smiled and shook hands with the new monarch at a prestigious ceremony at Windsor Castle on Tuesday.

She posed outside the castle with her former Strictly Come Dancing pro husband Pasha, who looked dapper in a grey suit with a pink tie.

Rachel, who is Jewish, was given the honour for her work in raising awareness of the Holocaust, when more than six million Jews were murdered during the Second World War.

As well as her services to Holocaust education, she was also recognised for her tireless efforts in combating antisemitism.

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Rachel Riley supported by Pasha Kovalev as she accepts MBE from King Charles (PA)
Rachel Riley supported by Pasha Kovalev as she accepts MBE from King Charles (PA)

She took to Twitter to share her excitement on Tuesday morning, posting: “On our way to Windsor… eek!”

The mum-of-two was named in the New Years Honours List back in December, and thanked her fans for their unwavering support.

“Incredibly proud to have just been awarded an MBE for services to Holocaust education. Grateful to everyone who has sent well wishes and support over the years,” she tweeted at the time.

“This is very much shared with so many people who also dedicate their time and energy to fighting anti-Jewish racism,” Rachel added.

Rachel Riley supported by Pasha Kovalev as she accepts MBE from King Charles (PA)
Rachel Riley supported by Pasha Kovalev as she accepts MBE from King Charles (Getty Images)

The TV star has had a very public battle with antisemitism, and last year, she was paid £10,000 in damages by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s ex-aide Laura Murray, after a libel case at the High Court.

Back in 2019, she spoke about how “lonely” it was fighting the torrent of abuse she receives on social media, and in a speech for the Holocaust Educational Trust in Westminster, she urged others to stand up.

“It’s lonely speaking out about this. And we can’t win this fight alone, nor should we have to try,” Rachel pleaded.

“This needs a bigger spotlight. This should be a national scandal. We need action rather than words. I call on all people, the media and politicians from every side to stand with us and Be Louder against antisemitism,” she added.

Emma Wilson

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