A former Gurkha soldier who served with the British Army and had both his legs amputated above the knee has been made an MBE today at Windsor Castle.

But Hari Budha Magar, originally from Nepal and now living in Canterbury, was honoured not for his bravery after being injured by an IED in Afghanistan in 2010, but for his incredible feat of becoming the first above-the-knee double-amputee to climb Mount Everest.

He received his honour at the hands of Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, who was left speechless when he told her that he is planning to scale yet more mountains.

Mr Magar said receiving the award was “absolutely amazing”.

He has become a campaigner for disabled people and even went to the Supreme Court in Nepal to overturn a ban on people with disabilities climbing Everest.

He said: “I told the Princess that I am climbing the seven summits. She couldn’t speak for a while…”

Mr Magar’s aim is to climb the highest peak on each of the seven continents.

He has three to go and in February is due to tackle Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in South America.

He was made an MBE for services to disability awareness.

Mr Magar received his honour alongside 60 other recipients, including the actress Rose Ayling-Ellis.

She made history as the first deaf contestant on Strictly Come Dancing.

Born deaf, Ms Ayling-Ellis, 30, grew up in Hythe and attended The John Wallis Academy in Ashford.

She was made an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for voluntary services to the deaf community.