Andy Murray to receive honor from Prince William

Andy Murray will be among the first to be appointed an OBE from Prince William. (Julian Finney/Getty Images) Andy Murray will take a step closer to knighthood

Andy Murray will be among the first to be appointed an OBE from Prince William. (Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Andy Murray will take a step closer to knighthood on Thursday when he is awarded an OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for his services to sport by Prince William at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

This is obviously a big deal for Murray, but it's an even bigger deal for Prince William, who will be handing out the honors for the first time.

According to one royal source, this is going to be very stressful for the Prince because, well, he's ... tall.

"It’s not easy to stoop down and talk to some of the smaller recipients and to pin the honours on," the source told The Telegraph.

No word on whether that was said with a straight face.

Apparently there's a sword involved in the ceremony, but don't worry, Andy. Prince William has been practicing. From The Telegraph:

"William has been practising using the sword and pinning the medals on a servant so that he gets it right," the source said. "He obviously doesn’t want to slice anyone’s ear off or stick a pin into their chest! Above all he realises this is the biggest day in the lives of some people who are being honoured, and he wants it to go well for them."

Yes, tennis would probably prefer to get Murray back in one piece.

It was another historic year for Murray, who finally broke through at Wimbledon to end the 77-year British drought for a men's champion. But the award was actually announced at the end of last year, after Murray won his first Grand Slam title, at the U.S. Open, and claimed Olympic gold in London.