ANKARA

Manchester United and England National Football Team star Marcus Rashford on Tuesday received an MBE for his successful free school meals campaign in UK during the coronavirus pandemic.

"Congratulations Marcus Rashford. Keep continuing the vital work you are doing for vulnerable children across the UK," said Prince William and Kate Middleton, the duke and duchess of Cambridge, on Twitter.

Congratulations @MarcusRashford 🎖

Keep continuing the vital work you are doing for vulnerable children across the UK pic.twitter.com/VO0J13LqQM

— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) November 9, 2021

Rashford, 24, received the honor – officially awarded last fall – at Windsor Castle from William, the first in-person MBE handed out since the pandemic began in early 2020.

On social media, Manchester United and the national football team both congratulated Rashford on his honor.

Established by King George V in 1917, the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) is the third-highest ranking Order of the British Empire and is awarded for "outstanding achievement or service to the community," the UK government says.

In 2020, Rashford ran a campaign to tackle child food poverty in UK, influencing the government to provide free meals to vulnerable children during school holidays amid the pandemic.

A pure Manchester United product, Rashford has been playing for the Red Devils since 2016.

He has scored 91 goals and produced 56 assists in 277 senior team appearances for Manchester U.

The English international helped Manchester United win the 2017 UEFA Europa League title.​​​​​​​