Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman awarded CBE by Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace
Chris Boardman awarded a CBE by Princess Anne for active travel which was inspired by his daughter
Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman has been honoured by the Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace for services to active travel.
Wirral-born Boardman, who was appointed as Active Travel England (ATE) commissioner in June 2022, and was presented with his CBE award by Anne at the ceremony.
In this role, the Olympic medallist is responsible for the Government’s agency for making walking, wheeling and cycling people’s preferred choice for transport in England.
In July this year, Boardman cycled from Manchester to Paris over eight days to raise awareness of the impacts of climate change.
During the 550-mile ride, he visited different sports clubs leading the way on sustainability, including plans to be net zero by 2029 or gathering volunteers to do conservation work and litter picking.
After receiving the news of his CBE, Boardman said he was "delighted" and said he was inspired by his daughter.
“I started this journey many years ago when my daughter, Agatha, wanted to ride to the park. Even though it was just 500 metres away I felt I had to say no, because I wasn’t sure I could keep her safe. That felt wrong, so I decided to do something about it.
“Nearly 20 years on, the fight has never been more relevant, so it’s been an easy cause to champion, especially as I know most parents would love transport independence for their kids too. And if they have it, we all do.”
Boardman, who won gold in the men’s individual pursuit cycling at the 1992 Olympics, was instrumental in designing Manchester's Bee Network in his previous role as Greater Manchester's cycling and walking commissioner.
Several former Conservative ministers have also been honoured at the palace, including former Secretary of State for Scotland Sir Alister Jack, Sir Ben Wallace and Sir Liam Fox.
Sir Liam, a former GP, was forced to resign as defence secretary in 2011 after allowing his friend and best man Adam Werritty to take on an unofficial and undeclared role as his adviser.
Sir Ben, a former British army officer, served as defence secretary under three prime ministers during his four years in the role until August 2023.
In the emergency services, detective chief inspector John Caldwell, who survived being shot several times in front of his son in Omagh, Northern Ireland, last year while off duty, will receive the King’s Police Medal.
Stuart Cossar will be made an MBE for his role in investigations into the Lockerbie bombing and his services to the bereaved families affected.
Nick Gardner, who raised more than £85,000 for charity when he climbed all of Scotland’s 282 Munros at the age of 82, is also being honoured for charitable services in Scotland.