Video: Jessica Ennis CBE: meeting the Queen was 'very special' The 26-year-ol Sheffield heptathlete, who became the face of the London Olympics last year, had already been awarded Member of the British Empire (MBE) by Prince Charles in 2011 Other Olympians honored with MBEs at Buckingham Palace were cyclist Jason Kenny, long jumper Greg Rutherford and boxer Nicola Adams. Dave Brailsford, the performance director of Britain's successful cycling team, was knighted.