Our Brilliant Ellie at the Palace
Ellie Simmonds has spoken of her delight at being awarded an OBE for services to Paralympic sport.
The 18-year-old swimmer from Walsall, who added to her two Beijing golds with two more at London 2012, said that, although she felt nervous before the event at Buckingham Palace, it was 'amazing' to be honoured, adding that the Prince of Wales congratulated her on her swimming.
"It was such a nice ceremony," she said, "It feels amazing. He (Charles) said 'well done on your swimming', and he asked what my next focus was, so it was really nice.
"I said I trained nine times a week for 18 hours, and that my next focus is the World Championships this year in Canada."
Simmonds, who said her next long-term goal is the Olympics in Rio de Janiero in 2016, described receiving her OBE as a bonus which capped a successful 12 months.
"It's a nice way to end a great year, to be at an iconic place, Buckingham Palace," she said.
"It was such a great year last year in London, so to be in London again to get this is really good.
"It's not just me, a lot of my team-mates got awards for their amazing achievements last year as well."
A golden postbox which was painted in honour of Ellie has now also been permanently illuminated at night. A spotlight has been installed at the Royal Mail postbox in Aldridge High Street to ensure it shines brightly whatever time of the day.
