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Irish News columnist Anne Hailes and Carl Frampton receive MBEs in London

Irish News columnist Anne Hailes pictured after receiving her MBE at Buckingham Palace 
Irish News columnist Anne Hailes pictured after receiving her MBE at Buckingham Palace  Irish News columnist Anne Hailes pictured after receiving her MBE at Buckingham Palace 

IRISH News columnist Anne Hailes described receiving an MBE at Buckingham Palace as "an eye-opener" and joked it was "not how I usually spend my Tuesday afternoons".

The well-known broadcaster, who has worked in the media industry for five decades, was recognised on Tuesday for her services to journalism, broadcasting and to the community.

She said: "I am a big fan of (Prince) William. He wanted to know all about my writing and The Irish News. He wanted to know about my time in the BBC World Service.

"He asked what my highlights were and I said travelling to the third world, having gone to places such as Bangladesh and Sudan.

"The palace is stunning. It is very homely and warm, with all these gorgeous men - the guards - standing all over the place in uniform."

Belfast world champion boxer Carl Frampton meanwhile said he was battling nerves as he received his MBE.

The unified world super bantamweight champion said: "I like to think I am pretty cool in high-pressured situations, but I haven't felt nerves like that since my wedding day. I was worried about saying something wrong or stupid."

Frampton said he wished his wife Christine could have attended the ceremony, but that she was staying at home to look after their daughter, Carla, who they did not want to take out of school.

Asked what he chatted about with the Duke of Cambridge, he said: "He was very, very nice. We talked about boxing - he knew I've been doing it for such a long time, and that I'd had a fight recently."

Also among those receiving MBEs yesterday were Pat McCarthy, the former SDLP Lord Mayor of Belfast and republican internee and Elizabeth Cameron, chair of the Ulster-Scots Community Network.