MBE Christine Lunn's "amazing day" at Buckingham Palace

Mrs Christine Lunn (74, pictured), of North Anston, was awarded the honour for services to fostering in Rotherham in the Queen's Birthday Honours in June.

She was said to have shown true dedication and commitment to fostering with her late husband and displayed personal qualities of warmth, support, guidance and patience to all the children she looked after.

Mrs Lunn, who has been fostering since 1975, received her gong from the Duke at Buckingham Palace.

“Prince William said how amazing it was that I had looked after so many children,” said Mrs Lunn.

“He said: ‘'I don't know how you do it.’

“I just said: ‘I love it’ and I said I thought he had a lovely family.

“He was very, very nice and he spoke to everybody.”

Mrs Lunn said she felt very proud to receive her MBE.

“I’m getting something for the job I love doing,” she said.

“I just love looking after children and for me it is a bonus.”

Mrs Lunn spent the day in London with her daughter Janette Beattie, granddaughter Megan Beattie and sister Sandra Hill.

They were also invited to a special evensong service at St Paul's Cathedral on the evening of the ceremony.

Anyone interested in fostering can visit www.fosteringrotherham.com.