Tony McCoy feared Anne might 'let the sword slip' at knighthood ceremony

"I am sure her daughter probably told her to threaten to let the sword slip maybe just for the fun of it."

Tony McCoy joked he was nervous about receiving his knighthood in case friend and fellow racing enthusiast the Princess Royal threatened to "let the sword slip".

The 42-year-old, who was champion jockey 20 times during his distinguished career, became only the second rider to be knighted in the history of the honours system when he attended an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.