Master baker Eddie Spence on his MBE and cakes for the Queen

World-renowned baker Eddie Spence received an MBE from Her late Majesty in 2000.

The proud 90-year-old Scotsman, who has lived in Bournemouth since 1977, said getting it was “one of my proudest moments”.

Across eight decades in the industry, Eddie was involved in the creation of nine cakes for the Royal Family, including wedding cakes for The Queen, Princess Margaret and Princess Diana.

His last cake for the monarch, which saw him come out of retirement, was for Her late Majesty and Prince Philip’s 70th wedding anniversary in 2017.

Reflecting on receiving his MBE from the Queen, the Kinson resident told the Daily Echo: “It was one of the proudest moments and I always said with my parents as well they were very proud of me getting accepted to do that and I loved it.

Kinson resident Eddie Spence MBE, 90, baked nine cakes for the Royal Family (Image: Newsquest)

“I still love my profession.”

He added: “She was absolutely fabulous. She was a nice person and she had a good sense of humour as well.

“At the end of getting my medal and to thank her I said 'thanks pet'.

“I always call everybody pet and of course right away she laughed and she wrote it down on her book.

“She was very clever as well. What she knew about me was just unbelievable, about the medals I had won at exhibitions because I have won quite a few medals, cups and God knows what else.

"That was the biggest and most enjoyable moment when I got my MBE from the Queen.”

Eddie was born in Edinburgh's Royal Mile and christened at St Giles’ Cathedral.

He started baking at Mackie’s in Prince’s Street, Edinburgh, at the age of 14.

Kinson resident Eddie Spence MBE, 90, baked nine cakes for the Royal Family (Image: Newsquest)

The baking legend went on to become a leading name in the industry, winning countless awards, judging competitions around the globe and even releasing his own book ‘The Art of Royal Icing’.

Paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, Eddie said: “When you look back and I think how the Queen always made you feel like royalty. It made you feel great. She was a lovely, lovely lady.”

He added: “I have had a wonderful, wonderful life and the best part of it was meeting the Queen and the Queen was absolutely gorgeous.”

Asked if there was a secret to being the master baker he is, Eddie said: “The secret is enjoying what you do and if you enjoy what you do, even teaching, it comes over to the students. I loved my profession.”

And if the phone rings, Eddie said he would jump at the chance to help bake a cake for the King.