'Have I done something wrong?' - Man City and Lionesses star Lauren Hemp reveals hilarious reaction to finding out she had been awarded an MBE in New Year Honours list

Hemp is one of three Lionesses stars to receive awards in the New Year Honours list. The Manchester City forward has been awarded an MBE along with goalkeeper Mary Earps, while Millie Bright will receive an OBE. The recognition appears to have taken Hemp by surprise, as she has revealed she initially thought she had done something wrong when the letter came through the post.

Hemp told Sky Sports: “The way I found out was that it came through the post back in Manchester at my house. And normally sometimes I’m asleep and put mail to one side.

"But I looked at it and it said something like ‘His Majesty’s service’, and I was like: ‘Oh my God, have I done something wrong? I need to open it'. I opened it and yeah, I had to read it about 10 times and I was thinking: ‘What does this mean?'

“I told my mum and dad on that same day. They couldn’t believe it, to be honest. I had to show them the letter. And I was like: 'Am I definitely going to get it?' It wasn’t until it got announced yesterday that I was like: ‘Oh yeah, it does count’. It was a nice surprise.

The awards arrive after another successful year for the Lionesses. Sarina Wiegman's side followed up their European Championship win in 2022 by reaching their first ever World Cup final, eventually losing 1-0 to Spain. The trio are the latest Lionesses to be recognised, with Leah Williamson having already been appointed an OBE and Lucy Bronze and Beth Mead being awarded MBEs.

Hemp will return to action in 2024 for club and country. The forward is enjoying a strong season with City, netting five goals and bagging two assists so far this season. City return to action with an FA Cup fourth round clash against Durham on January 14, before WSL fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester United.