Hamilton hero Steph McGuire received the royal seal of approval for his golden Paralympic achievements as he was presented with his MBE medal by the King at Holyrood. The boccia star, who won a thrilling and much-celebrated gold medal at last year’s Games in Paris, had his official investiture ceremony in Edinburgh after being recognised in the new year honours for his services to the sport and to young people. Steph was accompanied on the “special day” by his family and coach and told how King Charles knowledgeably discussed his sporting achievements and his contribution as an ambassador for a muscular dystrophy charity. Congratulations poured in from hundreds of Steph’s fellow Hamilton residents and from across Scotland as he crowned his two-decade sporting career by triumphing in the BC4 final at the Paris Paralympics last September, bringing home the gold medal from his fourth Games after three previous fourth-place finishes. His “most sensational year” was crowned with news of his MBE award last December, and he travelled to the Palace of Holyroodhouse last week for the presentation – which saw him meet King Charles for a second time since his Paralympic win after having been invited to a glittering athletes’ reception in London last year. Steph told the Hamilton Advertiser: “It was amazing to meet the King again. I had met him previously when Paris gold medallists were invited to Buckingham Palace, and this time round it was more formal and a special day to celebrate with my family and coach. “I was extremely fortunate to receive four guest tickets to help me celebrate on the day – my fiancee Michaela, parents Peter and Alison plus my brother Peter were able to attend and be in the room as I received the award from King Charles. “The King came down from his podium to speak to me. We spoke about boccia and how long it has been in the Paralympics; he encouraged me to keep playing for as long as I keep enjoying the sport, and said that the Paralympic Games capture the hearts of the Great British public and I have played a key part in that. “We then went on to discuss muscular dystrophy. King Charles was very knowledgeable about the condition and mentioned that his father, Prince Philip, was patron of Muscular Dystrophy UK for 50 years. “We spoke about the condition, which affects both my brother Peter and I, for a few moments. King Charles was very generous with his time as we spoke for around five minutes, and during this time pinned the MBE on my chest and said he was proud of my achievements. “The entire event lasted around three hours; after the ceremony we went to Holyrood Abbey for official photos and then met up with my coach, Claire Morrison, at Prestonfield golf resort for lunch and a celebration. “It was a special day for me and my family. When I began playing boccia 21 years ago I never set out to be recognised this way, but it was amazing to celebrate the achievements of that journey with loved ones and also to promote the sport which has given me and my brother so much.” Steph called it a “memorable and beautiful day”, and was congratulated on receiving his MBE honour by sporting organisations Boccia UK and Scottish Disability Sport, as well as by hundreds of friends and supporters delighted to see him receive the royal recognition. Friends and supporters from his hometown shared their congratulations online, praising his “outstanding achievement” and calling him a “role model” and a “Hamilton legend”. He told the Hamilton Advertiser last year how his Paralympic gold was “a dream come true” after two decades of playing, competing and earning countless medals in boccia; which he took up alongside brother Peter, who was commentating live on television as Steph struck gold and shared his royal occasion at Holyrood. Following his “sensational” Paralympic year, he was named para athlete of the year at the Scottish sports awards, received the prestigious Eric Liddell award and was celebrated by South Lanarkshire Council and made a fellow of New College Lanarkshire – as well as continuing his long-running work as an ambassador for Muscular Dystrophy UK including representing the charity at parliament. Steph – who is currently back in international action at the European boccia championships in Zagreb – previously told the Advertiser: “My two biggest passions are para sport, and supporting muscular dystrophy and raising awareness about muscular conditions; and to be given the platform to do that is great. “The MBE isn’t just for me but for everybody who’s supported me on my journey of 20 years’ hard work. I want to thank my family and friends, coaches and team mates over the years as every single person has played a huge part in pushing me every day and allowing me to be the best version of myself, and everyone in Hamilton has always supported me and my brother.” *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here .