London 2012: Jade Jones and Ellie Simmonds receive honours
London Olympics stars Jade Jones and Ellie Simmonds have received their MBE and OBE at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Prince Charles gave the two gold medallists their honours. Taekwodo competitor Jones, from Flint, who at 19 became Wales' youngest gold winner at London 2012, said it was a "really proud moment". Swansea-based Simmonds, from Walsall, called it "amazing" and a "nice way to end a great year". Jones, now 20, emerged as one of the biggest stars of London 2012 when she won in the -57kg women's category in taekwondo in August. Both athletes were awarded in the New Year honours following their contribution to both the Olympics and Paralympics. 'Great honour' Afterwards, Jones said: "Prince Charles was really nice and easy to chat with." "He was saying that he really enjoyed the Olympics and wished me good luck for the future. "At first I thought I wouldn't appreciate it, because I'm young as well, but when I got here I tried to take it all in. "It's just a great honour and it's something that will stay with me for the rest of my life, so I'm really proud of it." Simmonds, who trains at the Swansea pool and was already an MBE, was awarded an OBE for services to Paralympic sport. 'Next focus' The 18-year-old added to her two Beijing golds with two more at London 2012. Although she felt nervous before the event, she said it was "amazing" to be honoured. "It was such a nice ceremony," she said. "He (Prince 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 2016 Rio de Janiero games, 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."