PARALYMPIC hero Rachel Morris has received her long-awaited MBE from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.

Rachel, who won her second gold medal in as many sports at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, was named in the 2017 Queen’s New Year’s Honours List for services to rowing.

However, she delayed her ceremony while undergoing rehabilitation following major shoulder surgery, making the trip to the palace only last Thursday.

Rachel’s award was announced just half a year after she won the arms-shoulders single scull event in Rio - adding to her Paralympic gold won in hand cycling at the 2008 Beijing Games.

The 38 year old told the Herald last January: “I’m really proud and so happy to be acknowledged in this way.

“No athlete sets out to achieve something like this, but when your achievement and journey is recognised it makes it mean something on a deeper level as your career and results have affected other people.

“My family and those very close to me as part of my Paralympic journey are very proud and I’ve had some really wonderful messages from family around the world and coaches and physios etcetera who have been an integral part of my medals, highs and lows.”

Farnham MP and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, with who Rachel helped establish the Waverley Para Games for children with special needs, added last year: “Rachel’s life story is an inspiration to every young person in Farnham who feels things are not going well.

“She didn’t just cope with the horrific misfortune of losing her legs, she turned adversity into triumph by becoming a gold medal winner in two different sports at two different Paralympic games.

“We are all so thrilled she has been recognised and continues to support our community with countless visits to schools, and her leadership role in the Waverley Para Games which is going from strength to strength.”