I've never felt so humbled, says Giggs OBE

Giggs is one the most decorated British footballers of all time, with nine Premier League titles, four FA Cup wins, two League Cups and the European Cup win in 1999.

On Saturday, he celebrated his 100th League goal in Manchester United's 4-1 win against Derby but was "humbled" and "daunted" by yesterday's visit to Buckingham Palace.

Giggs, 34, said: "You don't get nervous playing football, that's what you do, but you don't meet the Queen every day. This was something special to come here with my wife, my daughter and my mum. It's a great occasion for everyone."

Giggs received his award for services to football from the Queen in the Palace's ballroom.

He was joined by others, including Fusilier Andrew Barlow, who collected the George Medal for bravery when his patrol had become trapped in a minefield in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan.

Barlow, from Bolton, lost a leg as he ran to the aid of a colleague. Six soldiers were seriously injured in the incident and one was killed.

Giggs, the former Wales captain, said: "It's a humbling experience to be here meeting these people. There are a lot of Welshmen here and people from the armed forces, who are all doing great things in different walks of life."

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson, knighted by the Queen after United's Treble in 1999, gave Giggs the day off to collect his OBE and sent him off the London telling him to "enjoy the day".

Giggs added: "When people ask about the best moments of my career, the two things that stand out are playing for Manchester United, the team I supported, and captaining my country. Those two things top everything.

"I've been lucky enough to win a lot of medals but I don't like to dwell on things and look back. I want to keep looking to the future while I'm still playing.

"This is different because it's for you personally. When you play football you win as a team, lose as a team. On a personal level, this tops it all. It's everything I've done in the game all rounded into one."

Now chasing his 10th Premier League title, it is hard believe Giggs was being written off when he was booed by exasperated United fans at Old Trafford in 2003.

Giggs said: "I've been in the first team 16 years and I've been fortunate to have a lot of highs. You're going to have lows but that makes you a better person and a better player.

"Without those times you probably can't progress. You've got to tackle the highs and the lows with a level head.

"My hunger is still there. I'm playing in a great team at the moment, playing exciting football, so hopefully there are more medals to be won.

"Soon I'll have to start thinking about what I do when I stop playing but I'm enjoying my football. I've got 18 months on my contract and hopefully I can continue for another couple of years."