Warren Gatland is Wales Rugby Team’s head coach who has been honored with the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for the remarkable services he has offered to the sport- rugby.
Gatland (New Zealander) received the OBE at a ceremony that took place in Windsor Castle on the 2nd of October, 2014 and the Duke of Cambridge bestowed this honor upon him.
After receiving the award, he thanked each and every support staff members, managers and coaches he has ever worked with and said that he was very touched by this honor. He was thrilled by the fact that a Kiwi received such a privileged award in UK.
When Gatland was asked as to how nervous he was before the investiture ceremony, he said he was as nervous as he was before any major rugby match. According to him, the feeling of nervousness in both the situations was quite similar.
Prince William and Warren Gatland even discussed things related to rugby especially about the preparations related to the World Cup, during the investiture ceremony.
Irish rugby player- Brian O’Driscoll had been removed from the Irish Lions for the Australia tour of 2013 by Gatland. This had created a lot of bad blood between the two. However, Gatland made it clear that now things are fine with O’Driscoll. He even said that O’Driscoll sent him a card during Christmas and he sent one to O’Driscoll as well.
Reportedly, Brian O’Driscoll had claimed that he would not send a card during Christmas to Gatland but it seems he ultimately sent one to Gatland.
Some other people who received honors during the same ceremony were John Barrowman (actor best known for his role in Torchwood) and Sir Anthony Seldon (who is Wellington College’s head teacher). Barrowman was honored with the MBE and Seldon was honored with a Knighthood. Prince William also discussed rugby with Seldon.