Lauren Hemp presented with MBE by Prince William at Windsor

England and Manchester City footballer Lauren Hemp said she made her “first ever curtsy” as she was honoured by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle.

The 23-year-old was part of the Lionesses squad that won the 2022 women’s European Championship and finished runners-up to Spain in the women’s World Cup in August 2023.

Hemp, from North Walsham, was made an MBE for services to football in the New Year Honours and attended her investiture ceremony yesterday (May 22).

“It was nerve-wracking, to be honest, Miss Hemp said.

Miss Lauren Hemp is made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle (Image: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)

“We sat in a room and we got taught how to curtsy and what we needed to do to greet the prince, and I think just standing there and seeing him and being the next one to go was pretty scary.

“I managed to do my first ever curtsy.”

READ MORE: Lionesses star Lauren Hemp thanks North Walsham Town

The winger said she had a "good conversation" with the Prince as she spoke about what the MBE means for women’s football.

“He’s really interested in football which is obviously great,” she said.

“We spoke about the season, both for club and country. Obviously, playing football, he takes a massive interest in that.

"He’s great and it was a great conversation, short and sweet but really nice

“It’s so important to have that because at the end of the day, we just want to help grow the game.

“We’ve seen how much social media can affect things and how much things can be seen on every platform possible, and this only helps that.”

READ MORE: Hundreds turn out to see Lionesses star Lauren Hemp given Freedom of Town

Café Kitale, in St Nicholas Court, North Walsham, with a mural of England Lioness Lauren Hemp (Image: Supplied)Norfolk's Lauren Hemp (centre) in action during the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 final at Wembley Stadium, London. (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)READ MORE: Lauren Hemp mural put up in Norfolk town of North Walsham

Miss Hemp also spoke about her experience of discrimination on the pitch and the struggles she had when she was playing in boys' teams in Norfolk as a child.

She said: "When I was younger I used to play in a boys’ team and there was always the odd parent or player on the boys’ team who were like ‘go back to women’s football’ or ‘it’s not for you’, but as soon as I (nut-)megged them a few times they forgave me and let me play.

“You probably wouldn’t find many women’s footballers who haven’t been subjected to some sort of negative language used in football.

“But we’re hopefully moving away from things like that and it’s going to be more equal going into the future.”

North Walsham's Lauren Hemp (right), with Beth Mead and Jill Scott with the trophy after England win the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 final at Wembley. (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)