Ice skating legends Dame Jayne Torvill and Sir Christopher Dean were among 68 notable figures honoured by King Charles III at Windsor Castle on Tuesday. The iconic duo, who won Olympic gold in 1984 for their 'Bolero' performance, received their damehood and knighthood after retiring from performing last year.
During the ceremony, Sir Christopher joked with the King that he is enjoying retirement and would 'recommend it'. Dame Jayne said the King asked if they were still skating and told her he was 'so pleased' to recognise their achievements. She added: 'He said, "Are you coaching or anything?", and I said, "no, we've just retired now".'
The pair retired after a UK 'farewell' tour culminating in their home city of Nottingham in July. Dame Jayne, 68, described stepping off the ice for the final time as 'a mixture of emotions', while Sir Christopher, 67, said: 'We feel like we've achieved what we've achieved, and we don't need to do any more.'
Dame Jayne discovered her honour three days before Sir Christopher, whose letter had been sent to the wrong address due to an incorrect postcode. 'It was a bit of an awkward situation for both of us,' she said. Sir Christopher added: 'I got it about two weeks later.'
Also honoured on Tuesday were 93-year-old Betty Brown, thought to be the oldest surviving victim of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal, and Paul Elliott of the Chuckle Brothers. The King's eye surgeon, Professor Philip Bloom, and plastic surgeon Simon Eccles were made Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order.
