Golden girl Hannah Cockroft picks up MBE from the Queen

Hannah Cockroft outside Buckingham Palace with her MBE

The award for services to athletics was presented in the grand ballroom at Buckingham Palace where the Queen hosts state banquets.

Hannah said: “It was such an honour to meet Prince Charles, it was a very proud moment. He congratulated me on London (2012 Paralympics) and asked me what I was training for and how I kept my hands so nice.”

The 20-year-old, from Mount Tabor, shot to international fame at the London 2012 Paralympics when she left her competitors in her wake in the T34 100m and 200m events.

Double Paralympics gold medallist Hannah Cockroft holds up her medals at the Piece Hall in her home town of Halifax, West Yorkshire, during civic reception in her honour.
Picture taken on Thursday 13 September 2012 — Double Paralympics gold medallist Hannah Cockroft holds up her medals at the Piece Hall in her home town of Halifax, West Yorkshire, during civic reception in her honour. Picture taken on Thursday 13 September 2012

Her achievements earned her two golden postboxes in Calderdale - one near her home and a second outside Halifax Town Hall.

She was named in the New Year’s Honours List alongside a host of sporting stars form the games including Sir Bradley Wiggins and Sarah Storey.

The presentation ceremony at Buckingham Palace was not just for the sports stars though as around 100 people were recognised for their contributions to charities and their local community.

“To be here with all these servicemen and women - they’re absolutely incredible - it makes you feel really inferior,” she said.

Hannah said her next goal was the International Paralympic Committee Athletics World Championships in Lyon, France, in July.

“I’ve got a double world champion title to defend and there are always records to be broken,” she said. “You’re only as good as your last race and I intend to keep winning.”