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The talented violinist was awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours list, and visited Buckingham Palace to receive the honour at a formal ceremony on 21 May 2013.
Nicola Benedetti proudly displays her MBE medal. Female recipients of the honour are allowed to wear the medal on a bow, rather than a ribbon!
The star violinist takes time out of her busy Silver Violin Tour to meet the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
Nicola Benedetti smiles outside Buckingham Palace with her MBE medal, recognising her work as part of El Sistema Scotland, and honouring her services to music.
Nicola Benedetti shakes hands with the Queen, before receiving her MBE medal.
The Queen confers the top honour, presenting Nicola with the British Empire Medal, a silver medal on a red bow.
At the tender age of 25, Nicola didn't expect to receive such a high honour. After making the New Year's Honours list, she said: "I was excited, but a bit taken aback – you don’t expect something like that at 25."
The violinist receives her British Empire Medal from the Queen at the formal ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
In the age of social media, it wouldn't be an award ceremony without posting a quick snapshot on Twitter! The violinist said: "The Queen was lovely, & I am very touched that my mum, dad and sister all came along." Photo: @NickyBenedetti