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Chris Hoy and Rebecca Adlington prepare to meet the Queen
Britain's Olympic heroes were treated to a royal reception to cap a day of celebrations marking their Beijing successes.
At Buckingham Palace, the Queen was introduced to an array of gold medallists who, despite their sporting triumphs, still displayed a touch of the jitters at meeting the monarch.
Rebecca Adlington, double Olympic swimming champion, said she was "too nervous to speak", while 400m runner Christine Ohuruogu said her heart was beating fast because she was so excited.
In all, some 69 medallists numbered among the 550 guests at the celebratory
reception.
They were greeted by the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the Princess Royal, who is president of the British Olympic Association.
They met members of Team GB, British Olympic Association staff and Lord Coe, chairman of the London 2012 Olympic organising committee.
Chris Hoy, a three-time Beijing gold medallist, was one of the first members of Team GB to be introduced to the Queen.
The 32-year-old Scot described the experience as "fantastic".
Nervous
Asked if he thought the next time he would be invited to Buckingham Palace would be to pick up an honour, the Olympic champion said: "I don't know about
that."
Standing next to him was a rather more nervous Adlington.
The two-time gold swimming champion said: "I'm 19. How many times do you get to meet the Queen?
"I got really nervous and didn't know what to say. I didn't remember to say anything, I just couldn't speak."
But the swimmer did manage a few words with the Queen.
"At least I can say that I have spoken to her and I will always remember it for the rest of my life," Adlington said.
Ohuruogu also displayed a touch of nerves.
Speaking shortly after meeting the Queen, the 400m gold medallist said: "My
heart's beating really hard, I was so excited."
The sprinter added: "To have her spend a couple of minutes talking to you is fantastic.
"It is something that I will be able to tell my grandchildren."
