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Wales Online
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Nuray Bulbul

Paralympian Ellie Simmonds reveals disappointment that the Queen wasn't there to honour her OBE

This week's Saturday Kitchen Live saw Matt Tebbutt host the show along with chefs Anna Haugh and Paul A Young. They were joined by special guests Paralympian Ellie Simmonds and musician Bill Bailey.

At 14 years old, Simmonds became the youngest ever person to have received the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours. She received the honour from Queen Elizabeth II on 18 February 2009.

"I am going to put my hand up and say when I was 14 and I got the letter, I didn't know what an MBE was. It was phenomenal to get awarded an MBE for something I love doing, swimming," the 27-year-old said on the show. "The Queen's so iconic I was nervous about messing up. You go into a room and you're told about the rules like you have to say her 'Your Majesty', do a courtesy and not show your back to her,"

Read more: James Martin issues apology after getting emotional on ITV Saturday Morning

Once she received her honour Simmonds recalls the Queen being so 'lovely'. A few years later, Simmonds was elevated to Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2013 New Year Honours for services to Paralympic sport.

Talking about entering Buckingham Palace for the second time to collect her OBE, Simmonds said: "Which was lovely again, but it was Prince Charles," who honoured the award. "I know he's going to be our future King but I wished it was the Queen. I am glad I got the Queen first and then Prince Charles." she added.

Simmons is a former Paralympian swimmer who came to national attention at aged 13 Simmons when she won two Paralympic golds during the 2008 Summer Paralympics. A few years later, she became the first swimmer to break a world record at London's Aquatics Centre. Born in Aldridge, England, Simmons has achondroplasia (dwarfism) and became interested in swimming at the age of five.

Also on Saturday Kitchen Live, the chefs remade some of the Queen's favourite food and drinks. Haugh put her twist on the Queen's wedding day day dinner. The 41-year-old who will be replacing Monica Galetti in MasterChef: The Professionals later in the year made a roasted partridge with green beans. While Young made the Queen's favourite cake.

There were great moments from the BBC food archive, including clips from Rick Stein, Nadiya Hussain, Nigella Lawson and Mary Berry. Drinks expert Olly Smith joined later in the show via video link to pick the wines to go with the studio dishes.

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