Ellie Simmonds goes from gold to red after royal visit

The gold medallist had a hectic 24 hours after finding herself becoming a much sought-after celebrity following her Games success.

Her first stop yesterday was at Buckingham Palace where the Queen hosted a glittering reception for Olympic and Paralympic heroes. Star sportsmen and women who won gold for the nation during the summer's extravaganza of sport were invited to the palace to mark their achievements.

Ellie lined up with other athletes to meet the royal party, who included the Duke of York and daughter Princess Beatrice, the Princess Royal, President of the British Olympic Association, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

Yesterday she also launched the Royal Mail's post campaign, letting people know that the last recommended date for sending first-class letters is December 20.

The 17-year-old, of Aldridge, said: "I will be posting my Christmas cards to family and friends early so that they can enjoy them for as long as possible." Mike Newnham, Royal Mail's chief customer officer, said: "As we do every year, we encourage people to post early and order presents early to help us spread the workload in the run-up to Christmas."

Then, last night, the swimming star joined Hollywood stars on the red carpet at the new James Bond film premiere, Skyfall, wearing a glittery black knee-length dress and red high heel shoes.

Just beforehand, she wrote on Twitter: "About to go on the red carpet for the James Bond premier! Nervous."

During the London 2012 Paralympics, Ellie won two gold medals, a silver and a bronze.

Prime Minister David Cameron joined the athletes and senior figures like Lord Coe at the palace, where the Queen celebrated their efforts with the Duke of Edinburgh, Duchess of Cambridge and other members of the royal family.

Mr Cameron said last night: "I think people will look back and just think, 'what an incredible summer' – success after success, medal after medal and the whole country putting on its very best face for the world.

"What matters now is that we maximise the momentum and the legacy following the Olympics and Paralympics.

"We had a cabinet meeting about that today and Seb Coe was there, and we were talking about the physical legacy of east London, the important economic benefits we want, there's the sporting legacy carried through to Rio and school sport, there's also the legacy in terms of attitude to disabilities, which I think is a real chance of a step change in our country."