Royals Chairman Sir John Madejski was at Buckingham Palace today to officially receive his knighthood.

The Chairman was knighted for charitable services in the 2009 New Year's Honours list, and he was presented with the honour by the Princess Royal at lunchtime.

He attended the London ceremony with his daughters Camilla and Helen, as well as sister Jeanette.

He said, "I am very proud of this accolade and privileged to receive the honour on behalf of the local community and everybody who has played a part in this award."

 TV news: Chairman at the Palace

Manager Steve Coppell said, "It is a proud day for the Chairman and this honour is fully deserved.

"He is very closed linked with a number of organisations, and obviously the one I know most closely is Reading Football Club.

"He has been very charitable to so many organisations, and Reading fans would agree he has been quite charitable to the Football Club over the years!

"He has invested a very considerable amount of his own money to make this club successful."

Madejski, the Club's longest-serving Chairman, had previously been awarded the OBE and DL honours, and he has now become a knight of the realm.

His charitable work sees his name given to a wide range of institutions, including the John Madejski Academy in south Reading, the Fine Rooms at the Royal Academy Of Arts, the Garden at the Victoria & Albert Museum, an Art Gallery at Reading Museum and the Seat Of Reputation at Henley Business School, as well as the Lecture Theatre at the University Of Reading, where he became Chancellor last year and was awarded a Doctorate.

He is a Freeman of the Borough Of Reading, and his OBE in 2000 was awarded for his contribution to the community of Reading and the Football Club. He is also a Deputy Lieutenant of the Royal County Of Berkshire.