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Tom Daley awarded an OBE for services to sport and LGBTQ+ rights

The Olympic diver discussed knitting with Prince Charles as he collected the accolade.

By Emily Maskell

Words: Emily Maskell; picture: Twitter/@ClarenceHouse

TeamGB and Olympic diving champion Tom Daley took a trip to Windsor Castle on Tuesday (12 July) to receive his OBE, awarded for his services to diving as well as his charity work and dedication to LGBTQ+ rights.

The 28-year-old was awarded the medal by Prince Charles. The OBE joins Daley’s vast trophy collection that includes one gold and three bronze Olympic medals.

Posting a series of photos to Instagram in which the British diver poses in a Dior suit with husband Dustin Lance Black and his OBE, Daley wrote: “Today I received an OBE for services to diving, LGBT+ rights and charity.

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tom Daley (@tomdaley)

“I’d be honoured to use this platform to work toward protections for all LGBT+ people around the commonwealth and beyond. (Also was talking all things knitting with HRH Prince of Wales 😂)” the diver continued.

Lance Black also shared his happiness for his husband on Instagram, he wrote: “So proud of you, [Tom Daley]. Loving you is the most magical adventure.”

 
 
 
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A post shared by Dustin Lance Black (@dlanceblack) 

The Twitter account for The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall shared images of Daley and Lance Blank writing: “Congratulations to everyone who received Honours today at Windsor Castle!”

“Another medal for Daley! Gold medal-winning and four-time Olympian diver [Tom Daley] was presented with an OBE for services to Diving and support for LGBTQ+ rights,” their statement continued.

Daley recently stated he is “furious” at the decision made by swimming’s world governing body, FINA, to restrict transgender athletes in elite women’s competitions.

The sporting star told iNews“You know, like most queer people, anyone that’s told that they can’t compete or can’t do something they love just because of who they are, it’s not on,”

Previously, Daley has stated that he wanted countries in which homosexuality is criminalised to be barred from hosting sporting events.

The Attitude July/August issue is out now.