Sir Philip, who will stand down as IPC President later this year, received the Verdienstkreuz 1. Klasse - one of the highest honours in Germany - in recognition of his services to Paralympic sport during his 16-year tenure at the helm of the organisation.

The Briton becomes one of more than 200,000 individuals, both Germans and foreigners, to be given the Order of Merit.

"This is an absolutely fantastic honour and I am hugely grateful to the German President and the Federal Republic of Germany for receiving such special recognition," Sir Philip, who is currently a member of the International Olympic Committee, said.

"Germany has a very special place in my heart for many reasons. 

"As an athlete I made my Paralympic debut here in Heidelberg in 1972 and now as IPC President our headquarters are based in Bonn, a city we have been proud to call our home since 1999."

He added: “Although this is a personal award, I believe it recognises the work of everyone within the Paralympic Movement. 

"Without the efforts of the IPC Governing Board and management team, every single IPC member and all volunteers around the world who sacrifice their own time to support others, the Paralympic Movement would not be in the position it enjoys today."

The 66-year-old Englishman was first elected as IPC President in 2001 but will relinquish the post at the governing body's elections in Abu Dhabi on September 8.

Potential replacements for Sir Philip are not permitted to formally declare their intentions until nominations close in June.

Sir Philip has overseen a challenging time for the Paralympic Movement but was widely praised when the IPC decided to ban all Russian athletes from last year's Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.