Former badminton player Gail Emms has been made an MBE at an investiture ceremony hosted by the Princess Royal.

Emms, who is now Badminton England's first ambassador, described the MBE as a "pat on the back" after the Buckingham Palace ceremony.

The 32-year-old, from Bedford, won national, international, Commonwealth, European and world doubles titles

She is also now acting as a mentor to some of the young players aiming for the London 2012 Olympics.

Emms said: "Olympic gold was the only thing I didn't win. I was a bit gutted, I would have loved to have finished winning gold in Beijing.

"I did everything I could to get there but with world gold, Commonwealth gold, European gold - I can't complain too much, but it would have been nice to have had the set."

Also receiving honours during the investiture ceremony were two soldiers who fought in Afghanistan.

Also recognised at the ceremony were Acting Lance Bombardier Grant Guy, 21, of the Royal Artillery, and Lance Corporal Gajendra Rai, from the 2nd Battalion, the Royal Gurkha Rifles, who were both awarded the Military Cross for bravery while serving in Afghanistan.

Burberry's chief creative officer, the designer Christopher Bailey, became an MBE for services to the fashion industry.

Northern Ireland hotelier Sir Billy Hastings was knighted for his services to charity and the tourism industry.