Actor and explorer Michael Palin receives his knighthood

Sir Michael Palin managed to suppress a joke when collecting the 'unbelievable' honour of a knighthood from the Duke of Cambridge for his post-Monty Python career.

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

The investiture ceremony was also attended by Vernon Unsworth, one of the divers who aided in the perilous rescue of a young football team trapped in a Thai cave.  

Sir Michael, 76, was today knighted by the Duke of Cambridge for services to travel, culture and geography following his successful second career as a travel writer and TV presenter

Sir Michael, 76, was today knighted by the Duke of Cambridge for services to travel, culture and geography following his successful second career as a travel writer and TV presenter

Sir Michael holding up the award certifying him as a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George

Sir Michael holding up the award certifying him as a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George

Sir Michael and Prince William discussed travel, with Sir Michael resisting the temptation to crack a joke during the investiture at Buckingham Palace today. 

'He talked about where I was going next, any parts of the world I really wanted to go that I hadn't already - to which I normally say Middlesbrough,' the broadcaster said. 

Instead he went for the far-flung location of Kazakhstan. 

There was also a fun reference to made for observers in that one of the Pythons' most famous sketches was The Knights Who Say 'Ni!', from the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. 

So far, Sir Michael, 76, is the only Python to be knighted - but he said John Cleese has turned down the chance.

'I think I'll probably be the only one. John's turned it down. I think so, yes. He's rather mysterious about that,' Sir Michael said. 

The investiture ceremony was also attended by Vernon Unsworth, one of the divers who aided in the perilous rescue of a young football team trapped in a Thai cave

The investiture ceremony was also attended by Vernon Unsworth, one of the divers who aided in the perilous rescue of a young football team trapped in a Thai cave

Sir Michael (seen being presented with a medal in the ceremony) is best known for his role in the Monty Python sketches, alongside John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and the late Graham Chapman

Sir Michael today

Sir Michael (seen being presented with a medal in the ceremony) is best known for his role in the Monty Python sketches, alongside John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and the late Graham Chapman

It has not been confirmed that Cleese opted against becoming a knight, but he did refuse a CBE in 1996 and said it was a

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