Sir Mark Cavendish receives knighthood from Prince William in Windsor

Two of Britain's sporting greats shared a sweet moment after joining Prince William at a Windsor Castle investiture ceremony today as they compared their awards.

Cyclist Sir Mark Cavendish showed Karen Carney his knighthood medal, then the former England footballer let him take a look at her Order of the British Empire.

Carney, 37, held out her award and said 'that was amazing', before Sir Mark, 39, asked her: 'Can I see yours?' - and she happily replied: 'Course you can, yeah.'

Carney added: 'Yours is pretty special, congratulations - it's amazing, but I should call you sir, now.' But as she said this, Sir Mark's wife Peta, the former glamour model and Page 3 Girl, walked past and looked at her as she joked: 'Don't encourage him.'

Carney, who is leading efforts to reform the women's game at elite and grassroots level, then replied: 'Haha, well have a lovely rest of the day, see you soon, bye.'

William presented a host of British sports stars with awards at the ceremony, with Sir Mark describing his knighthood as 'super humbling' and 'very, very special'.

The Prince of Wales hosted the presentation at Windsor Castle , with ex-Scotland footballer Ally McCoist receiving an OBE for services to football and broadcasting.

Wayne Barnes, 45, who refereed last year's Rugby World Cup final, received an OBE for services to his sport; while Welsh football referee Cheryl Foster got an MBE.




1/4) Cyclist Sir Mark Cavendish shows Karen Carney his knighthood at Windsor Castle today






2/4) Former England footballer Carney lets Sir Mark look at her Order of the British Empire 





3/4) Carney congratulates Sir Mark Cavendish and jokes that she 'should call you sir, now'





4/4) Cavendish's wife Peta, the ex-Page 3 Girl, jokes towards Carney: 'Don't encourage him'





Sir Mark Cavendish with his wife Peta after receiving his knighthood at Windsor Castle today










Cyclist Sir Mark Cavendish receives a knighthood from Prince William at Windsor Castle today











Sir Mark Cavendish is made a Knight Commander of the British Empire by William today

Speaking after the ceremony, Sir Mark said it will be 'really nice' to race as a Knight Commander.

The 39-year-old from the Isle of Man finished this season with a record-breaking 35th career Tour stage win in what he said would 'likely' be his last race.

However, he has postponed retirement before, and has since given mixed messages about whether he will race again.

Asked today about his future in the sport, he said he still had some races this year.




Karen Carney, 37, the former England football international, receives an OBE at Windsor today











Karen Carney is leading efforts to reform the women's game at elite and grassroots level





Former footballer Karen Carney after being made a OBE during an investiture ceremony today

'I've still got races this year,' he said. 'I'm still training for Affordable Goa Escort Service them, it will be really nice to race as a Knight Commander.'

However, he repeated that he would not race in the Tour de France again.

'I've already said I won't do another Tour de France,' he said. 'That's public knowledge I won't do another Tour de France.'

He said it was 'super humbling' to receive a knighthood.

'I was really nervous,' he said. 'His royal highness was superb. I didn't honestly know I'd be nervous, but I'm so incredibly proud of representing the country.'

He said he spoke to William about cycling.








Ex-Scotland footballer Ally McCoist receives an OBE for services to football and broadcasting











McCoist remains Rangers' all-time top scorer, having been on target 355 times in 581 matches









Former Scotland footballer Ally McCoist after being made an OBE at Windsor Castle today

'I think the last time we met was at the Tour de France in Yorkshire and I crashed at the end of that stage,' he said. 

'He asked me if I was doing anything else up there, and he was talking about my career, which was very nice.'

He said he was 'very happy' with his career.

'I am very fortunate to have got to do what I love for so many years, and to see other people inspired by that and riding bikes themselves,' he said.

In particular, he said it was great to see the growth of the sport in recent years.




Welsh football referee Cheryl Foster is made a Member of the Order of the British Empire today











Prince William presents the MBE to football referee Cheryl Foster at Windsor Castle today





Referee Cheryl Foster after being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire today

'Seeing how many people ride bikes now, seeing the growth of cycling in this country now and seeing how successful we've become at it ... it's incredibly rewarding to be part of that and to know that it's something you can be honoured for it.

'It wonderful. You know, I'm just a lad from the Isle of Man, to be a Knight Commander, that's not something I could ever have dreamed of.'

Sir Mark said one of his children expected him to come out wearing a suit of armour after he was knighted.

'One of the boys thinks I'm going to be walking about in armour,' he said.

He added: 'They're very proud.'




Rugby referee Wayne Barnes after being made an OBE during an investiture ceremony today





Sir Mark Spencer, the former farming minister, is made a Knight Bachelor by William today

Between 2007 and 2015, Cavendish secured 133 victories including the 2011 world title, stages of all three Grand Tours, Milan-Sanremo in 2009 and more.

He also won a silver medal in the omnium at the 2016 Olympics.

Sir Mark was joined by a host of Britain's sporting greats at the ceremony including McCoist, who received an OBE for services to football and broadcasting.

McCoist, 62, is best known now as a co-commentator and pundit, but enjoyed great success during his playing days, chiefly at Rangers.

He remains the Glasgow club's all-time top goalscorer, having been on target 355 times in 581 matches and winning eight league titles.