An Olympic star managed to time her curtsies well and even made the Queen laugh when she picked up her MBE toady.
 

Cheam cyclist Joanna Rowsell was at Buckingham Palace this morning to pick up her award, given to her after she won a gold medal at last summer's London Olympic Games.
 

Miss Rowsell, who went to Nonsuch High School for Girls, said: "When we got there I was taken away into one room while my guests were taken off into the hall.
 

"I was with other people getting honours. It was really nice to be able to talk to people about what they had done. There were other Olympians like Jason Kenny, Jessica Ennis, Nicola Adams and Greg Rutherford, but there were other people too and it was good to talk to them.
 

"Luckily the waiting room had a TV showing people getting their awards so I was able to practice my curtsies and make sure I did everything at the right time!
 

"I don't really get nervous for things but I was feeling really excited - I didn't really sleep very well the night before. When I got up there the Queen said what a fantastic summer it had been, I said it was great and how happy I was to have been a part of it. She asked me if I was back in training and when my next race is.
 

"I don't remember everything we said but in one of the pictures we're both laughing so I must have made her laugh or she made me laugh!
 

"It was really nice to have a one-on-one conversation with the Queen!"
 

Miss Rowsell, who won her gold in the women's team pursuit, went with her parents and partner.