Cook thrilled with CBE

Alastair Cook said being appointed a CBE by the Prince of Wales was ‘very special’.

The England captain, who last May became the youngest person to reach 10,000 Test runs, was at Buckingham Palace having been honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

"This is a very special moment,” said the 32-year-old. “Not just for me obviously but my family and friends - it's a very proud moment to be awarded this, very special."

Cook and wife Alice were at Friday’s investiture ceremony, which came five years after he was awarded an MBE following his 2010-11 Ashes heroics where his 766 runs helped England to a famous 3-1 series win.

"The highlights of my career? Hopefully there's a few more to come but certainly winning the Ashes home and away – and obviously when we won away and I was man of the series was very special, and captaining when we won the Ashes.

"To me it is all about winning and the moment you share with your friends."

Cook, who now has 11,057 Test runs with 30 hundreds, met Prince Charles on the eve of the 2015 Ashes series and said farming was the topic of choice during today's ceremony.

"We spoke a little bit about the cricket, a little bit about the farming, and he wished me good luck,” said Cook.

"We're about to start lambing so we'll get busy now but unfortunately work and training has to come first, but if I have any spare moments I try and help out."