(Image: Jordan Pettitt/PA)
He's a top bloke, a humble hero – and now officially Sir Kevin.
Prince William has said rugby star and motor neurone disease (MND) campaigner Sir Kevin Sinfield should have received his knighthood “years ago.”
Sir Kevin, who has raised millions for charity, was knighted for services to the MND community and to league and union rugby.
Prince William said: "I think, frankly, he should have been Sir Kevin years ago.
"I don’t know how he keeps going, I’m worried about his knees, I’m worried about his hips.
"The guy is just a machine.
"He’s a top bloke, really nice guy, good, honest, kind, decent northerner and I love that about Kevin, that there is no ego with him.
"He is what you get."
Sir Kevin is a former Leeds Rhinos teammate of the late Rob Burrow.
He undertook his final '7 in 7' challenge, running an ultra-marathon every day for seven days to raise funds and awareness for MND.
Prince William and the Princess of Wales surprised him in Wakefield on the third day of the challenge.
The challenge was inspired by Mr Burrow, who died in 2024 after living with MND for four and a half years.
Prince William confirmed he had written to Mr Burrow’s family following his death.
He said: "Everyone grieves differently and every circumstance is different, so you need to take your time over it.
"It’s always better to say something around grief than it is to ignore it."
Sir Kevin said he was “massively humbled by the whole experience” of receiving a knighthood and was "very proud to accept it on behalf of the MND community and their families."
He praised the support of the royal family.
Sir Kevin said: "I think he champions pulling communities together and I have seen how the MND community have come together on the back of Rob’s diagnosis and several other high-profile sportspeople over the last six or seven years.
"So, his support and, obviously, Princess Catherine’s as well, they’ve been wonderful and bring a real credibility to what we’re trying to do."