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England's former coach Brian Ashton is clearly rated higher by that country's monarchy than by the sport's governing body, the Rugby Football Union (RFU).

Ashton has been honoured by Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday, after being axed by the RFU last month.

Ashton, who led England to the World Cup Final last year, was made a member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

"This is very humbling, you look around the world of rugby and think there are a lot of people more qualified than me to get something like this," said Ashton, who was replaced by Martin Johnson.

"This is absolutely terrific to achieve something like this," he added.

While taking England to the World Cup Final may not have been enough to save Ashton's job, at least it earned the thanks of the Queen.