The Duke of Cambridge today awarded an MBE to a hero British diver who aided in the perilous rescue of a young football team trapped in a Thai cave.

Vernon Unsworth, was among the team who helped save the 12 boys who became trapped deep inside the Tham Luang cave network by a flash flood in June last year.

But the 64-year-old financial consultant's heroics led to an extraordinary feud with Elon Musk, over which he is suing the billionaire businessman for libel.

Vernon Unsworth from London is made an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by the Duke of Cambridge during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace today

Mr Unsworth described the experience of being made an MBE 'very humbling and fantastic'

Prince William makes Mr Unsworth an MBE at Buckingham Palace for his service to cave diving

Mr Unsworth is a 64-year-old financial consultant living in Walthamstow, North East London

Mr Unsworth said the Tesla chief's small submarine he touted for the rescue was simply a 'PR stunt', but Mr Musk retaliated by calling the diver a 'pedo' in a tweet.

Today, Mr Unsworth, of Walthamstow, North East London, described the experience of being made an MBE for his service to cave diving as 'very humbling and fantastic'.

Speaking about the legal action against Mr Musk, Mr Unsworth said: 'It doesn't detract from today. I've really got to think about other people and give them the enjoyment they deserve. Today is about today and is not anything else.'

All 12 boys and their coach escaped unharmed after more than two weeks trapped by flood waters in a rescue which generated huge attention around the world.

He also said of his award: 'This was a team effort and I'm very honoured to have been recognised, particularly as you don't engage in a major rescue expecting this outcome. For me, after saving the boys, this is the icing on the cake.'

Members of a Thai youth football team, some wrapped in portective foil blankets, sitting with a diver inside the Tham Luang cave at Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park in Mae Sai last year

Rescuers hold an evacuated boy inside the Tham Luang Nang Non cave in Thailand last June

The 12 rescued youngsters were passed on stretchers through the treacherous passageways

Thai Navy soldiers in the flooded Tham Luang cave during rescue operations for the 12 boys

Mr Unsworth's heroics led to an extraordinary feud with Elon Musk (pictured in March in Hawthorne, California), over which he is suing the billionaire businessman for libel

Also among those receiving awards at Buckingham Palace today was Sir Michael Palin, who collected a knighthood for his post-Monty Python career.

The writer and broadcaster was dubbed a knight for services to travel, culture and geography, making him the first star of the sketch show to receive the honour.

Captain Hannah Graf, who became the most senior transgender woman in the British Army after beginning her transition during a tour of Afghanistan, collected an MBE.

Capt Graf, originally from Cardiff, said William was 'very supportive' when discussing her experiences as well as his own of the transgender community in the RAF.