Sir Alastair Cook got finally bestowed with his knighthood for outstanding services to the game of cricket by Queen herself during a ceremony at the famous Buckingham Palace. 

The 34-year-old became the first England cricketer to receive a knighthood since Sir Ian Botham in 2007 and also the first after New Zealand's Sir Richard Hadlee in 1990 to do so while still being an active player as he will continue playing for Essex till the end of the 2020 domestic season. 

Cook retired from international cricket last year after recording the highest number of Test caps - 161 appearances - for his country as well as becoming England's leading run-getter with 12,472 runs at the highest level. 

"Seeing my name up there in whatever capacity - you just don't get used to it," Cook himself said after the ceremony. "You never get used to it and I don't think I will ever get used to seeing my name with a Sir before it."

Cook received his honour after kneeling in front of the Queen to be dubbed on the shoulders. He then received his medal and engaged in a short chat afterwards.

"It is just weird when you are told you have to just walk and kneel, that you should get so nervous," he added. "I have played cricket in front of many thousands and done okay but you get just as nervous just walking and kneeling, which is very strange."

(Inputs from ESPNcricinfo)