Prince William bestows first knighthoods at Buckingham Palace

Prince William made history at Buckingham Palace on Thursday (17Oct13) when he stepped in for his grandmother to bestow knighthoods and honours on Brits, including Wimbledon tennis champ Andy Murray, for the first time.

The new dad, who is second-in-line to the throne, took on his first ever investiture ceremony on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II, and carried out his first sword-waving knighthood, bestowed on educator Kenneth Gibson.

The Duke of Cambridge, who was dressed in his ceremonial Royal Air Force uniform, also knighted Sir Anthony Salz and handed out various medal honours to Professor Dame Nicola Cullum, TV producer Jon Plowman, and Welsh singer-turned-TV and radio personality Aled Jones, who was made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE).

Collecting his Order of the British Empire (OBE) medal, tennis ace Murray revealed after the ceremony that he and the royal had chatted about a recent hospital visit.

Murray told Britain's ITV News, "He asked me about my recent back surgery, which I had a few weeks ago, and how I was feeling after Wimbledon. I teased him a bit as he had sent me a note before Wimbledon wishing me luck, and his wife had written me a letter afterwards. Her handwriting was beautiful, and I told him how fantastic it was compared to his."