Geraint Thomas receives OBE from Prince William at Buckingham Palace
Welsh cyclist Geraint Thomas collected his OBE at Buckingham Palace today for services to cycling. He was awarded the OBE in the New Year's Honours List 2019 in late December 2018.
Geraint said the experience was "surreal" and it was "an honour" to meet Prince William. They shared parenting stories about sleepless nights.
He is the first ever Welshman to win the Tour De France and only the third British rider after Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome. He won the Tour De France in 2018 and came second in 2019 after Egan Bernal.
The 33-year-old said he was 'proud' to be honoured.
The New Year’s Honours List 2019 recognises the outstanding achievements of people across the United Kingdom.
Other Welsh recipients include Britain’s most decorated female triathlete Helen Jenkins, who receives an MBE; Matthew Maynard, awarded an MBE for services to charity and sport; and Mike Peters, frontman of band The Alarm, who gets an MBE for voluntary services to cancer care.
In total, 70% of awards in the New Year’s Honours List will go to people who have undertaken outstanding work in or for their local community.