Have you ever felt like someone was right beside you, celebrating a huge moment, but somehow managed to stay completely out of the spotlight? That's exactly what happened at Tess Daly's recent MBE investiture – a prestigious event, but with a hidden family member!
Tess Daly, the beloved host of Strictly Come Dancing, was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by King Charles III at Windsor Castle for her outstanding contributions to broadcasting. It was a day filled with pride and joy, shared with her husband of 22 years, Vernon Kay, and their eldest daughter, Phoebe, 21. Official photos captured the beaming trio, but there was someone else present... someone who intentionally remained out of view.
Tess and Vernon's youngest daughter, Amber, was also there, but she chose to keep a very low profile throughout the entire day. While her sister and father happily posed (or were posed!) for pictures, Amber subtly positioned herself in the background. She was spotted, briefly, standing alongside her sister and dad as Tess received her medal from the King, looking elegant in a white dress and fascinator. However, when the family later shared celebratory photos from the ceremony, Amber was conspicuously absent. It begs the question: why the desire for privacy?
While Amber seems to prefer a life away from the cameras, her older sister, Phoebe, embraces social media. Phoebe boasts over 16,300 followers on Instagram and frequently appears on her mum's social media accounts. In contrast, Amber's appearance on Tess's Instagram is a rare occurrence, with a recent post celebrating her sweet 16th birthday being a notable exception.
After the royal outing, Phoebe publicly expressed her immense pride in her mum, writing on social media about how "grateful" she was to have witnessed the event alongside her dad and Amber. "I’m so grateful to have been there today with Dad and Amber to watch you receive your medal from His Majesty the King, an emotional and monumental moment I will remember forever. Proud of you always," she wrote. She went on to describe her mum as "such an inspiration in my life and I admire everything you do, because you do it all with such kindness, warmth and love."
But here's where it gets controversial... Is it fair for some family members to be thrust into the public eye while others crave anonymity? It's a complex issue, especially in the age of social media where privacy is becoming increasingly rare.
Tess, in her own social media post (again, without Amber), described the award as "a privilege beyond words and without doubt the greatest honour of my career for which I am profoundly and eternally grateful." She clearly cherishes her family, and she has been open about her efforts to protect her daughters online.
In a 2024 interview with HELLO! Magazine, Tess revealed the measures she takes to ensure her daughters' online safety. "They were never allowed phones in their bedrooms until they were 15, and we have a cut-off time for the youngest, Amber, at 10pm because she’s got school the next day. We’re vigilant about that. And, like most parents I know, there are no phones at meal times," she explained. "We’ve always limited screen time but it becomes increasingly challenging when your child socialises online a lot."
She also shared that Amber wasn't allowed Snapchat until she was 13, highlighting the pressure children face to stay connected with their peers. She added that Phoebe, the older daughter, kept her Instagram account private until she was 17 or 18, emphasizing their belief that children should wait until they are young adults before becoming public on social media.
Tess receiving her MBE also coincides with what may be her final season hosting Strictly Come Dancing after an incredible 21 years. She dedicated her MBE to her loved ones, saying, "It's for my family as much as it is for myself. If I could dedicate it to anyone, I would dedicate it to my late dad because he'd be so proud of his daughter meeting the King, in a castle."
Tess was honored at Windsor Castle alongside other notable figures, including former EastEnders star Anita Dobson, who received an OBE for her charitable work.
Interestingly, Tess revealed in a 2019 interview with HELLO! that King Charles and Queen Camilla are both avid viewers of Strictly Come Dancing. "Camilla is a fan, she has been to visit us in the studio before and she spent half a day with us and it was wonderful, she was absolutely part of the whole process during the dress rehearsals, at the judge's desk, handling the panels and she really enjoyed her day," Tess said. She even mentioned that Camilla invited the Strictly crew to Buckingham Palace a couple of years ago!
So, what do you think about Amber's decision to stay out of the spotlight? Is it a sign of healthy boundaries, or does it create an unnecessary divide within the family's public image? Do celebrities have a responsibility to share all aspects of their lives, or should they be allowed to protect their children's privacy, even if it means keeping them out of official photos? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
