The aircraft had a valuable cargo, carrying a haul of 92 medals which weighed a total of 7.2 stone (46kg), along with 320 athletes and support staff.
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Trott’s fiance and fellow Olympic cyclist Jason Kenny is also tipped to become a sir after he won his sixth gold medal, as is tennis star Andy Murray for defending his Olympic title.
Team GB claimed a record-breaking 67 medals during the 16 days of competition, including 27 golds, and became the first nation to improve on their tally after hosting the previous Games.
“The Japanese home team challenge will be very strong, the Russians are going to be back probably as a greater presence than they were in Rio and of course other countries are going spend a couple of years up to Tokyo looking very hard at what we’ve been doing and trying to work out the secrets of our success in London and Rio”. There, mighty Great Britain took home just one gold medal.
China and Russian Federation won golds from 10 sports, though the Chinese claimed more, 26 in total, thanks to their dominance in table tennis and weightlifting, while Germany’s 17 golds came from nine different sports.
Triathlon gold medallist Alistair Brownlee did the same, with the caption: “So #goodtobBAck”.
Team GB’s athletes have arrived back in the United Kingdom following their best Olympics in more than a century.
While Robertson was confirming the future of British Olympics is secure, Team GB athletes were enjoying the party atmosphere aboard flight number BA2016, with pictures uploaded to social media before take-off revealing that the champagne was already flowing.
Team GB’s official Twitter feed even sent a tongue-in-cheek apology to Heathrow airport following the squad’s arrival at Terminal 5.
While it is true that cycling, rowing, sailing, equestrian and canoeing have continued to provide the bulk of the golds, the joke no longer holds water as Britain have won in Rio across 15 sports, more than any other nation.
The lottery was launched in 1994, two years before the debacle of Atlanta left British athletes scurrying back into Britain with no fanfare. Scottish athletes matched their haul of 13 medals, which was achieved at the London 2012 games, bringing home four gold, seven silver and two bronze medals.
The Queen’s message follows that of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, who declared the athletes had “made the entire country proud”.
British athlete Asha Philip tweeted a video of Team GB singing God Save The Queen.
Peaty was also praised by England for getting the Olympics off to a great start for Team GB as he broke the world record twice to take the 100m breaststroke gold.
She said it was a shame to miss out on a home Games, joking “although I was a bit young”.
The sovereign offered her “warmest congratulations” for an “remarkable achievement”.
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Prime Minister Theresa May has announced there will be a parade in Manchester and a further event in London in October.
