Huw Edwards has admitted he is rather red-faced over rumours that he will be knighted following his coverage of the Queen’s death and subsequent funeral on the BBC One.
The broadcaster broke the historic news that the late monarch, who had reigned for 70 years, had died on September 8 aged 96.
In the days that followed, he continued to lead reports on the channel before fronting the coverage of the funeral, which took place on Monday, September 19.
Viewers were in awe of Edwards’ unfaltering professionalism and he received high praise at the time for ‘holding it together’ throughout.
Shortly afterward, he was tipped for a knighthood from King Charles III in honour of his impressive career as a journalist.
But Edwards is rather mortified by it all and has branded reports ‘excitable journalism’.
‘I am embarrassed by it,’ he said. ‘I have been involved in nominating people for honours and, in a few cases, people who have spent a lifetime giving time to deserving causes and don’t get anything.
‘So, although I don’t mean it disrespectfully, the idea of a knighthood embarrasses me.’
Edwards opened up on the pressure of reporting the Queen’s death, revealing to Radio Times that he learned the news about 10 seconds before it was announced to the nation.
‘My colleagues were brilliant,’ he continued to Radio Times. ‘Usually, when you have a breaking story there’s a lot of shouting in your ear from the gallery, saying, “Go to the news, go to the news,” but this time was different.
‘The announcement came up on the wires and the gallery said, “The announcement is here. Take your time. Speak when you are ready. Don’t rush”.’
On the day after the Queen’s funeral, Edwards paid tribute to the team of people who worked on the broadcast with him, including those who weren’t seen on screen.
‘Behind the camera – an army of the best talent in broadcasting,’ the Welsh newsreader said.
‘My thanks to them and to all of you for the kind messages. Diolch.’
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