Northern Ireland's motorcycling world champion Jonathan Rea has received his MBE at Buckingham Palace.

The triple world superbike champion was presented with his honour by the Duke of Cambridge.

Rea, & 30, revealed that the Duke had said that his love of motorcycles had & been put "on the backburner" because of his growing family.

"He's a bit of a motorcycle fan himself. We talked about his bikes," said the Northern Irishman.

& Along with his brother Prince Harry, the Duke has been a keen biker & from a young age and had previously been known to own bikes including a & 1199cc Ducati.

In 2008 the Princes took part in an arduous motorcycle rally across Africa to raise money for a variety of charities.

Rea, & whose two sons are aged four and two, the same ages as Prince George & and Princess Charlotte, said his boys were already into riding "electric & trial bikes".

He said seeing them at the end of each race was something that made him very proud.

In & September, Rea became the first rider to clinch three successive World & Superbike titles and he said that he was "very honoured to be invited & here and receive an MBE".

"It's been more than a dream, more than I & ever expected. To come here today it kind of really sinks in what I & have achieved," added the Kawasaki rider.

The Ballyclare man was honoured in the Queen's birthday honours list last June for his services to motorcycle racing.

Sourse: bbc.com

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