Andy Murray has described receiving his OBE insignia from Prince William as a “special day” for both himself and the royal.
The Wimbledon champion said he felt honoured to have been made an OBE, capping a brilliant 2012 for the sportsman, who won the US Open and Olympic tennis titles last year.
Murray went on to capture the hearts of the nation by winning Wimbledon and cementing his place in sporting history.
Murray arrived well ahead of the investiture with girlfriend Kim Sears and his parents, Willie and Judy, but before he appeared he tweeted about being held up by a drug test.
William presided over the ceremony, presenting awards, dubbing new knights and recognising the efforts of senior members of the armed forces.
The tennis ace and Ms Sears had arrived with Murray’s parents, Willie and Judy, who are rarely seen together. Speaking after the event in the ballroom of Buckingham Palace, Murray paid tribute to other recipients: “Speaking to some of the people and the stuff they’ve done, it’s pretty incredible. It was nice to come along and receive it today.
“I’ve wanted to do it sooner but, I’ve always been away on the dates we’ve been given.”
Murray won gold at the London Olympics last summer, and a few weeks later became the first British man to win a grand slam final in 76 years, defeating Novak Djokovic in the US Open.
Then this year he triumphed in the Wimbledon final against Djokovic again to become the first British man in 77 years to win the singles title at Wimbledon. Speaking about his brief chat with William during the presentation, he said: “He asked me about what it’s been like after Wimbledon.” He said it was the first time the prince had stepped in for the Queen at an investiture, so it had been a “special, special day”.
A professor who was made a Dame yesterday did not let a little mishap by the Duke of Cambridge spoil her big day.
Dame Nicola Cullum was the first person to receive an award from William as he hosted his inaugural investiture.
But, as she walked away, the insignia he had just pinned on her shoulder fell off and she did not dare risk bending down in her high heels to pick it up.