Cosmopolitan fan William presents OBE to former editor-in-chief

The Duke of Cambridge told the former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan that he had read a few copies of the glossy magazine as she picked up an OBE at Buckingham Palace.

Joanna Coles, who was chief content officer for Hearst Magazines, which also publishes Marie Claire, Elle, Esquire and Country Living, was presented with the honour for services to journalism and the media industry.

She said William told her he had read a few copies of Cosmopolitan and he had liked the name she had chosen for her new media brand.

She added: “He was absolutely charming. I mentioned that I was going to be starting my own media brand, the name of which is Boudica based on the Celtic warrior. He liked the name so it feels like a good omen.”

MasterChef winner and restaurateur Thomasina Miers, co-founder of Mexican street food chain Wahaca, received an OBE for services to the food industry.

She praised the duke for his interest in protecting the environment and added: “I am really impressed about how the royal family cares so much about the environment, it’s brilliant and really admirable.”

London Imam Mohamed Mahmoud – who was acclaimed for calming fellow Muslims to prevent retaliation against far-right terrorist killer Darren Osborne after the Finsbury Park attack in June 2017 – received an OBE for services to the community in London.

He said: “I am humbled to receive this honour today from his royal highness the Duke of Cambridge.

“I have maintained throughout that my actions on the night of the horrific terrorist attack in Finsbury Park in 2017 were not extraordinary nor worthy of recognition.

“I accept this honour on behalf of my community, which stood firm with strong resolve and dignity in the aftermath of that deadly attack which claimed the life of Makram Ali, whom I mourn today and dedicate this honour to him, his family and those who are still suffering the consequences of that attack two years on.”

Vera Schaufeld, who came to England aged nine in the Kindertransport in 1939 following the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia, received an MBE for services to Holocaust education.

Mrs Schaufeld said she was amazed when William told her he would make sure his children would be aware of what had happened and of the Kindertransport.

She added: “That was really amazing. It was really incredible to hear it meant something to him and he knew and he understood.”