Tom Daley Receives an OBE at Windsor Castle
Tom Daley Receives an OBE With Husband Dustin Lance Black by His Side
Everyone's favourite Olympic diver, Tom Daley, has received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) at Windsor Castle. On Tuesday, 12 July, the 28-year old, who first competed for Great Britain at the Olympics when he was 14, was presented with the honour by Prince Charles for services to diving, his charity work, and his support of LGBTQ+ rights.
The gold medallist brought along his husband, American screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, who he shares son Robbie with. The happy couple grinned as they posed for the most adorable photos together, with Daley decked out in a Dior suit with encrusted tie and brogues. And there's no denying he's had quite the dapper week after he attended Wimbledon in a striking mustard suit.
The sportsman first represented Team GB at the Olympics in 2008, and then dived in London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020. It was his latest performance that won him the gold medal alongside teammate Matty Lee in the men's synchronised 10m platform event, and this achievement is partly what earned Daley his OBE. It was also this event that gave us the incredible viral social media moments where Daley was caught poolside knitting. Taking up the hobby during lockdown, he has since gone on to launch his own line of 'knit kits' in John Lewis, called Made with Love, in a bid to pass on his passion to the rest of the world.
Besides his services to diving, Daley has been recognised by the Queen for his charity work and support for LGBTQ+ rights. He helped to rename the second-oldest LGBTQ+ telephone helpline in the UK, the London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard, to simply "Switchboard", in order to emphasise inclusion of all gender identities and sexual orientations.
Daley's speech at the 2021 Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards stood out as extremely influential, with the athlete speaking out about the lack of LGBTQ+ athletes at the Olympics. Daley pointed out: "There are still 10 countries that punish being gay with death that were still allowed to compete at the Olympic Games. I think that is quite shocking to a lot of people. It's really important to try and create change rather than just highlighting and shining a light on those things."
This reality is what prompted Daley to start campaigning for the prevention of any nation that criminalises the LGBTQ+ community in any way from competing in the Olympics by Paris 2024. In his 14 years in the spotlight, Daley has achieved some wildly impressive things. He's a gay icon, an activist, and an Olympic legend, and now he has an OBE. We hope he's diving into the Champagne to celebrate!
See the adorable pictures of his awards ahead.
Tom Daley Receives an OBE
Tom Daley Receives an OBE With Husband Dustin Lance Black by His Side
