Sir Andy Murray Has Been Knighted At Buckingham Palace

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Sir Andy Murray has been knighted at Buckingham Palace, more than two years after he was awarded the honour.

The tennis star was listed in the Queen’s New Years Honours all the way back in 2016, following his second Wimbledon win and second Olympic gold medal.

At the time, Sir Andy, 32, said being referred to as a sir ‘sounds a bit strange’ but said it was a ‘big honour’ to receive the knighthood.

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As reported by the BBC, the 32-year-old collected his award at an investiture ceremony conducted by the Prince of Wales earlier today (May 16).

Andy Murray was knighted alongside novelist Sir Philip Pullman, who was being knighted for his services to literature. Broadcaster Chris Packham will also be awarded a CBE for services to nature conservation.

Sir Andy says he plans to retire after this year’s Wimbledon because of a long injury. However, it’s still unclear if the former champion will make the tournament as he continues his rehabilitation following a successful hip surgery.

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As reported by the Evening Standard, the three-time Grand Slam champion said after the ceremony that he wished his two young daughters had been old enough to see him receive his knighthood.

Sir Andy said after the ceremony:

I’m very proud to receive it. It’s a nice day to spend with my family – my wife and parents are here.

I’d have liked to (have brought) my kids but I think they’re a bit young. I’ll show them the medal when I get home.

The tennis ace and his wife Kim have two children together – three-year-old Sophia Olivia and 18-month-old Edie.

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Recipients of the honour are allowed to choose when they collect it, and it’s thought the delay in Sir Andy collecting his was due to his busy overseas playing schedule – on top of a career-threatening hip injury.

Britain’s greatest player of the modern era announced in January that he plans to retire after Wimbledon this year, and posted a picture of himself recovering in hospital after undergoing a hip resurfacing surgery in London.

Alongside the picture, Sir Andy wrote:

I underwent a hip resurfacing surgery in London yesterday morning… feeling a bit battered and bruised just now but hopefully that will be the end of my hip pain. I now have a metal hip as you can see in the 2nd photo and I look like I’ve got a bit of a gut in photo 1

Congratulations to Sir Andy and we wish him all the best with his recovery.

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Lucy Connolly

A Broadcast Journalism Masters graduate who went on to achieve an NCTJ level 3 Diploma in Journalism, Lucy has done stints at ITV, BBC Inside Out and Key 103. While working as a journalist for UNILAD, Lucy has reported on breaking news stories while also writing features about mental health, cervical screening awareness, and Little Mix (who she is unapologetically obsessed with).