The Prince of Wales speaks to Gamesmakers during a reception for London 2012 volunteers and Armed Forces personnel who aided with security operations during the Olympic and the Paralympic Games, at Clarence House, London

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall have said a big thank you to the people who worked to make the London Games the best Olympics ever.

Their Royal Highnesses were hosting a reception at Clarence House for 120 Olympics volunteers, 30 London Ambassadors and 40 members of the military who worked at the Games.

The royal couple chatted and joked with the inspirational individuals who came together to help make this year's summer of sport one to remember.

Among them was Genevieve Robinson, 25, who overcame the grief caused by the death of her father Shaun to take part as a volunteer in the opening ceremony.

Ms Robinson said her father came down with leukaemia before she was selected and died without being able to see her participate. She said: "I was drumming in the opening ceremony and just thinking of him."

Colonel Hugh Bodington, the military's Chief of Staff in London, helped provide security support to Locog and the police during the Games.

Commenting on the success of the Olympics, he said: "Wouldn't we all like to bottle up this goodwill that has spread throughout London and indeed the UK during these Games? It was fantastic."

The Mayor of London's team of London Ambassadors, which helped welcome and guide visitors to the Games, was also honoured at the reception.

Dee Candlin, 52, from Islington, worked as a volunteer welcoming visitors at the South Bank: "I did it because I am proud of the city and it was a chance to be a tiny part of it all. It was so nice to be a part of changing people's perceptions about London, I am sure they will want to come back again."