- Duke of Cambridge smiled when player's name was read out
- Talked to the tennis star for longer than any other award winner
- Wimbledon champion arrived with girlfriend Kim Sears and his parents
- Was presented with the honour alongside presenter Aled Jones
- Prince is in 'transitional year' after giving up RAF duties
- Rumored to be taking on more public responsibilities
Prince William spent a minute chatting with Andy Murray when he was invited up to receive an OBE at Buckingham Palace.
When the player's name was called - 'Mr Andrew Murray For Services to Tennis' - William gave a broad grin and the pair talked animatedly for around a minute, noticeably longer than any of the other recipients.
The tennis star was receiving the honour from the Duke of Cambridge, who was hosting his first investiture ceremony on behalf of the Queen.
Award: Wimbledon champion Andy Murray smiles as he receives his OBE medal from the Duke of Cambridge, during his first investiture ceremony
Proud: The tennis star shakes Prince William's hand after he is given his medal
Chat: The Duke of Cambridge spoke to the tennis star for longer than any other of the award winners
But there was concern that the star might not make it at all.
At 8.30am the player tweeted that he was having to undergo a drugs test and may be late.
It read: 'I'm in the middle of a drug test hahaha I'm goin to be late!!!'
Fortunately Murray arrived at the palace on time with girlfriend Kim Sears and his parents Willie and Judy in a chauffeur-driven people carrier.
The group looked relaxed as they posed for photographs and then walked inside the Queen's official London home for the start of the ceremony.
William was presenting awards to recipients from across the UK, including an OBE to Vicar Of Dibley producer Jon Plowman and an MBE to presenter Aled Jones.
There were no decorations (i.e. medals or Garter sash) as is usual practice for Investitures.
The prince was permitted to wear his RAF Uniform as, although he has left operational service, he officially remains in the force until January 2014.
The Duke has recently given up operational duties with the RAF after serving three years as a search-and-rescue helicopter pilot in North Wales.
He is now in a 'transitional' year, sources have said, and is considering options for his public service.
Smiles: Andy Murray and his girlfriend Kim Sears arrive at Buckingham Palace to receive an OBE during Prince William's first investiture ceremony
Support: The Wimbledon champion was also joined by his parents Judy and Will
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Arise: Prince William gives Headteacher Sir Kenneth Gibson a knighthood during his first investiture procedure
Congratulations Sir Kenneth: The Duke of Cambridge shakes the headteacher's hand
But with his grandmother the Queen and grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh advancing in years, there is speculation that William may take on extra responsibilities.
William arrived in the gilt and scarlet palace ballroom attended by two Gurkha Orderly Officers, a tradition begun in 1876 by Queen Victoria.
On duty were five members of The Queen's Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard, which was created in 1485 by King Henry V11 after his victory at the Battle of Bosworth Field - making them both the oldest royal bodyguard and also the oldest military corps existing in the UK.
William waited for the name of each recipient to be announced before taking the decoration from a velvet cushion and pinning them onto the recipient's lapel.
Services to television: Producer of The Vicar of Dibley, Jon Plowman, receives his OBE from Prince William during his Investiture ceremony
Services to the restaurant industry: Jill Stein, who co-owns The Seafood Restaurant with TV Chef Rick Stein, was also given an OBE
After investing his first award, making Professor Dame Nicola Cullum a Dame Commander for services to Nursing Research and Wound Care, he smiled and appeared to breath a slight sigh of relief.
Two of the recipients were made knights, kneeling on a velvet investiture stool in front of the prince as he wielded his late great-grandfather King George VI's sword.
William appeared cautious but had clearly been practising hard as he tapped the men in turn on each shoulder before placing their honour around their necks.
Recognised: Singer and presenter Aled Jones was also honoured for his services to music and charity
Sir Kenneth Gibson was the first person to be knighted by the prince, in what will no doubt be a long royal career, for services to education.
Sir Kenneth, who has worked in the field for 35 years and is currently executive head of several 'challenging' schools in the north east of England, described William as a 'complete natural'.
'He seemed very relaxed, far more so than myself. I found it all very overwhelming and was very nervous but he took it in his stride,' he said.
'I told him that it was a huge privilege to be the first person to be knighted by him and he acknowledged it with a smile.
'I know there was some speculation in the press about him practising so that he didn't chop anyone's ear of but he was absolutely fine.'
As the hour-long ceremony unfolded an orchestra drawn from the Bands of the Household Division played tunes including Scarborough Fair by Faure and Salute to Handel.
Murray was awarded the OBE in the New Year Honours, before his historic triumph at Wimbledon, after winning the US Open and men's tennis final at London 2012.
He beat Novak Djokovic to become the first British man in 77 years to win the singles title at Wimbledon.
TV host Jones was also recognised with an MBE for services to music, broadcasting and charity.
The former teenage choirboy, who now fronts morning show Daybreak, found fame at the age of 12 with his top five hit Walking In The Air, which was written for the animated movie The Snowman.
Another recipient, Jon Plowman, served as the BBC's head of comedy for 10 years, producing classics such as Absolutely Fabulous, French And Saunders, Vicar Of Dibley, Little Britain and The Office.
He was also an executive producer of the Olympic satire Twenty Twelve, which won a Bafta award.
The Queen hosts the large majority of investitures but shares the role with the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal.
Around 25 investitures are held each year, with most staged in the ballroom at Buckingham Palace, but others take place at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh and at Windsor Castle.
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