What do Shaun Goater and the Queen have in common? The answer: knee trouble.

It was this uncanny bond which sparked a conversation between the Bermudian star footballer and Her Majesty on Wednesday when Goater received his MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) insignia at Buckingham Palace.

"Her Majesty and myself, we had a good chat. I think I'll keep that one for when my book comes out," quipped Goater, recounting his landmark moment to .

However, he excitedly recalled wishing Queen Elizabeth all the best in her knee operation and revealed that only last week he had surgery on his right knee.

"I think I caught her by surprise and she said 'Oh, thank you very much'."

The Queen will have torn cartilage removed from her left knee today at the King Edward VII Hospital in London. The 77-year-old monarch underwent a similar operation on her right knee in January after injuring it before last Christmas.

Having 'been there and done that', Goater offered a few words of advice on the matter.

"I said to her that she should get into rehab as soon as possible because that will get her up and going a lot quicker than if she starts it later on."

Goater's fabulous day also included an unforgettable encounter with England's Rugby World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson who also collected an MBE which had been awarded before his stellar performance in Australia.

"It's a bizarre story. I introduced myself and he knew who I was because his team-mate Will Greenwood has been going on about me.

"Jonny got good luck wishes from David Beckham and during the World Cup Will used to wind him up by saying 'I've got good luck (wishes) from a legend. That's a real legend ? Shaun Goater'.

"So he says to me 'Oh, I'm so glad to meet you because Will is so fanatical about you. He's over the moon about you all the time. He adores you'.

"I was amazed that he was telling me all these things. I told him to pass on my regards to Will and he was like 'Oh yes no problem'."

Goater, 33, then asked the flyhalf to sign an autograph and requested that Wilkinson put his penmanship on his tie.

"I wanted to get my shirt and tie framed as memorabilia of the day. I didn't want just a piece of paper."

Wilkinson ? whose overtime kick to win the Webb Ellis Cup is fast becoming of folkloric proportions ? went one better though.

"He said 'I'll tell you what I'll do. I will sign my tie only if you sign yours and we exchange (ties)'.

Goater could not believe his ears and hurriedly agreed to write ? ? and hand over his tie.

In return, the rugby superstar will put:

"What happened was he had interviews after and because of how the Press got hold of him we really didn't have a chance to chat and organise the exchange.

"So I've just got to get in touch with him and I'm certain he will pass on the tie. In years to come I'll have a nice shirt and tie and a great story to go with them."

The Reading striker described Wilkinson as "very down-to-earth and approachable". He noted that at one point they were backing each other and he (Goater) was chatting with another guy when Wilkinson tapped him on the shoulder and began enquiring how Goater's move to Reading was going.

"I've got to give him top marks. He's a first class chap."