Lionness Mary Earps is honoured by Prince William at Windsor Castle
Lioness Mary Earps was today honoured by Prince William at Windsor Castle for her services to association football.
Earps was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire as she joined VIPs including Gladiator director Sir Ridley Scott and England legend Peter Shilton.
Sir Ridley was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire, with photographs showing him proudly receiving his medal from the senior royal.
Earps wore an all-white outfit and matching fascinator as she accepted her honour at the castle.
Meanwhile, Shilton was also honoured in recognition of his services to rugby union football and to charity.
Prince William is set to take a two-day visit to his Duchy of Cornwall on Thursday and Friday – marking the first time he will have stayed away overnight since his wife Catherine received her cancer diagnosis.
He has been at her side and doing the school runs, with his diary modified accordingly.
Mary Earps, from Wilmslow, is made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle
The honour given by Prince William recognises services to association football
Mary Earps smiles as she is made a Member of the Order of the British Empire
Sir Ridley Scott, from Los Angeles, is made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle
Sir Ridley Scott after being made a Knight Grand Cross during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle today
Sir Bill Beaumont, from Lytham, Chair, World Rugby, is made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire by the Prince William today
Sir Bill Beaumont with Prince William at Windsor Castle earlier today
Meanwhile, Prince Harry arrived in the UK alone yesterday after flying in from California for a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games in London today.
Prince Harry will not meet his family during his trip to Britain because of the monarch’s ‘full programme’, but insisted that he ‘hopes to see him soon’.
The Prince had hoped to meet his estranged father the King during his trip, which follows a previous quick visit in February after Charles’s cancer diagnosis. And Harry’s event was just three miles away from where Charles was at Clarence House.
But Harry’s spokesman said yesterday: ‘In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not The Duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.
‘The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.’
Sir Ridley Scott is made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
Sir Ridley Scott after being made a Knight Grand Cross earlier today
The honour received by Lioness Earps recognises services to association football
Prince William is set to take a two-day visit to his Duchy of Cornwall on Thursday and Friday
Sir Bill Beaumont, from Lytham, Chair, World Rugby, is made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
The honour recognises services to rugby union football and to charity
Sir Ridley Scott’s honour recognises services to the UK film industry
Also attending the castle today were Lionness Mary Earps and England legend Peter Shilton
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