Britain's Paralympic heroes have been honoured at a ball to celebrate their achievements during London 2012.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex joined some of the stars of the Games for the event in central London.
Sir Philip Craven, president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and Games chief Lord Coe were also among the guests.
Sir Philip said: "There are so many stars all over the show, many of whom will not have won medals.
"I've been telling people I'm on either cloud nine, 10 or 11. It's been absolutely fantastic."
Discus champion Aled Davies, who arrived sporting his two London 2012 medals, said: "It's been a rollercoaster ride and a lot of hard work and sacrifice in my social life, just for these around my neck. But it's been totally worth it.
"It's nice to let my hair down now and relax and enjoy being champion."
The event at the Grosvenor House Hotel was held to raise funds for the British Paralympic Association and the IPC's Agitos Foundation, which aims to increase the number of sporting activities for people with disabilities.
Former soldiers Nick Beighton and Derek Derenalagi said competing in the Paralympics had been a massive boost to their recovery from life-threatening injuries.
Derenalagi was pronounced dead when he lost both his legs after a bomb blast in Afghanistan in 2007.
Just five years later the 37-year-old took his place in the Olympic Stadium to compete in the discus final, finishing in 11th place.
He said: "Paralympic sport helps to rehabilitate soldiers to get back to normal life again. It's very important for soldiers coming back from Afghanistan or anywhere around the world, and even being injured at home."
Beighton's appearance at the Games is a remarkable feat in itself, coming three years after he trod on an improvised explosive device (IED) while on a reconnaissance foot patrol in Afghanistan in October 2009.
It was touch and go whether the 30-year-old would survive as medics battled to save his life, including administering a staggering 36 pints in blood transfusions.
Beighton, who narrowly missed out on a rowing bronze, said: "The Paralympics are a great vehicle for getting people out and getting their confidence back at the grass-roots level of sport."
The Paralympic Ball was hosted by Channel 4 news presenter Jon Snow who hailed swimmer Ellie Simmonds as the star of the Games so far. "I think (she) has been absolutely fantastic," he said.
Simmonds, 17, was absent from the event as she prepares to challenge for her fourth medal of 2012, having already won two golds and a bronze in the pool.
