FATHER Brian D'Arcy has said he felt "very honoured" as he received an OBE from Prince William in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
The well-known Catholic priest and broadcaster was recognised for his services to cross-community relations.
He was joined by two of his sisters and a brother-in-law at the event in London on Tuesday.
Fr D'Arcy said Prince William spoke to each award recipient without notes.
"He chatted about my work and he was anxious to know if the situation in Northern Ireland was changing and he had hope for the future," the priest told the Irish Independent.
"He was very nice and in good form, with all the difficulties going on."
"The ceremony had a good-feel factor and it wasn't political, it was about recognising the good work of the recipients, all of which I felt were far more worthy than me to receive the OBE," he added.
It was announced last year in the Queen's Birthday Honours list that Fr D'Arcy was to receive an OBE.
In the New Year's Honours list some weeks ago, five Catholic priests in Northern Ireland were also recognised for their work.
They included classical religious music group The Priests and Drumquin parish priest Fr Kevin Mullan, who comforted bereaved families after the 1998 Omagh bomb.
