Ashes heroes get Palace Honours

England's Ashes winners attended a reception in their honour

England's Ashes stars received their Honours from the Queen at Buckingham Palace on Thursday.

Michael Vaughan's men were given awards in recognition of last summer's surprise success over Australia.

England's 16-strong party met the Queen on Thursday morning before a lunchtime reception at the palace.

Vaughan got an OBE along with coach Duncan Fletcher, chairman of selectors David Graveney and manager Phil Neale, while the rest of the team got MBEs.

Vaughan described meeting the Queen with the team as "fantastic".

"She was saying she watched the series avidly - but not all the time, because it all got too tense for her and was a bit nerve-wracking," he said.

I didn't think I'd come anywhere near (the palace) besides taking photos outside the gates Kevin Pietersen

Star all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was able to have an informal chat with the Queen at the reception which followed the ceremony.

"We just had a chat - I told her I went to the races yesterday," he said.

"I didn't know what to expect beforehand - but this is a little bit of history."

The squad departs on Sunday for a tour of India, including three Tests against the side ranked one place below them at third in the world rankings.

England's Palace visit in pictures

Only Ashley Giles, among those present at the palace on Thursday, will not be involved - at least initially - over the next two months, because of a hip injury.

England's women's team was also at the reception following their own Ashes triumph in August.

Clare Connor, who led the side to their first Test series victory over Australia since 1963, collected an OBE.

South African-born batsman Kevin Pietersen, who qualified for England two years ago, was "humbled" at meeting the Queen.

"That summer was remarkable for not only the players but for the spectators watching," he said.

"I made a decision five or six years ago to come to this country to do something that I love and to fulfil my dream to play international sport.

He said of Buckingham Palace: "I didn't think I'd come anywhere near it besides taking photos outside the gates."