Queen leads praise for Team GB medal winners at Olympic Games in Rio

Great Britain's medal haul gave the country their best ever total at an away Olympic Games

The Queen has offered her "warmest congratulations" to Team GB on their "outstanding performance" in Rio.

The monarch sent a message of praise to Britain's Olympic stars while on her annual summer break to Balmoral.

She said Team GB's success was a reflection of the "talent and hard work" of the athletes and their support teams.

The message from the Queen, who is also head of the Commonwealth, read: "I offer my warmest congratulations to the athletes of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Commonwealth for their success at this year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

"The outstanding performance of Team GB reflects the talent and hard work of the athletes and their support teams. I send my best wishes to all those who contributed to this remarkable achievement."

Team GB's medal-winning athletes from Rio can expect an invitation to Buckingham Palace in the autumn.

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The Queen hosted a glittering reception for the heroes of London 2012 and is likely to do the same for the stars of the 2016 Games.

Earlier, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry said the team were an "inspiration to us all, young and old".

In a statement, they added: "London 2012 was a hard act to follow, but you have made the entire country proud of everything you have accomplished.

"We all know that this success does not come easy and is the culmination of years of hard work, passionate commitment, sheer grit and determination."

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Britain won 67 medals at the games - two more than in London four years ago - and the haul of 27 golds, 23 silvers and 17 bronzes was the nation's biggest medal count in more than a century.

Prime Minister Theresa May said she was "extremely proud" of the team's achievement following the "amazing" games and wants to see that success recognised.

Her official spokeswoman said the "honours are there to recognise and reward people" such as the country's Olympic athletes.

"To surpass what we did in London and become the first country to ever achieve that at the next away Games is a great achievement," the spokeswoman added.

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"In terms of honours, there is an independent process. There is no formal cap on the number of honours that can be awarded."

Those members of the squad who stayed in Rio for Sunday night's closing ceremony will return home on Tuesday.

British Airways flight BA2016 will carry Team GB back to Heathrow decorated with a gold nose and the name "victoRIOus" on its livery.

The Boeing 747 will be ferrying 320 athletes and support staff - as well as pole vaults, javelins bicycles and a 6.7 metre sail.

The flight will also be loaded with 77 extra champagne bottles and treats for team members, who will be offered a three-course menu.

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The success of athletes including Mo Farah, Nicola Adams, Jason Kenny and Laura Trott lifted the team to second place in the official medal table, ahead of China. The United States were top.

Bill Sweeney, chief executive of the British Olympic Association, said the performance was down to two decades of hard work and investment in British sport.

"It has been a brilliant Games but this is not an overnight success," he said. "Thanks to the contribution of the National Lottery players via UK Sport and their investment, this is 20 years in the making.

"We've now enjoyed five successive Games of medal growth. No one has come close to that and it's an unbelievable achievement."