Round-the-world yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur has been awarded the MBE by the Queen.

It is the latest in a succession of top honours bestowed on the 25-year-old, who was also voted runner-up in the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year and Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year.

MacArthur, from Whatstandwell, Derbyshire, attended a Buckingham Palace ceremony with her parents and grandmother on Wednesday.

"I am alone for so much of my time as a yachtswoman, so it was wonderful to be able to share today's moment with my family," she said.

"I was here last week for lunch with Her Majesty so it was lovely to be back so soon. She said it was nice to see me again and said she had seen I had come second to David Beckham in the award."

MacArthur placed second to Beckham in the BBC's showpiece event, but pipped Liverpool's Michael Owen for second spot.

"I know I'm well known. I'd be silly if I didn't admit that - but I'm just a normal person," she said.

Ellen was catapulted to fame after her inspired performance on board Kingfisher in the Vendee Globe race in February.

And she went on to win the Fico-Lacoste world championship, as well as being voted world sailor of the year.

"The moment I stepped off Kingfisher my life was different. I've had many times this year when I didn't believe all this was happening.

"It's been a big year, a tiring year - and to be standing on stage in between two of the most famous footballers in the country on Sunday at the Sports Personality of the Year was incredible.

"But they are just people like me, and that's the way I look at it."