Former Lionesses captain Millie Bright skips training for Prince of Wales honour

Former Lionesses captain Millie Bright skipped training for possibly the first time in her career to be honoured by the Prince of Wales.

Aston Villa fan William told her he is always “looking for news in the women’s game” as he made her an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, she said.

The Chelsea defender, who retired from international football in October, was unable to attend a previous honours ceremony with the same royal.

Speaking inside the royal residence, the 32-year-old said she no longer feels “like a fraud having OBE next to my name”.

She told the Press Association: “I’ve had to miss training today, which I don’t think I’ve missed one session in my whole career so far.

“But I think, for the Royal Highness, I think I can miss a day’s training to receive this.

“It’s always fallen on a game day or day before a game, and then I’m like, ‘ah, it’s the Champions League, it’s really important’.

“It’s always hard with the scheduling but, yeah, just really honoured to be here today… to finally get around to it.

“I don’t feel like a fraud having OBE next to my name now that I’ve officially received it.”

The prince asked when the transfer window ends, and said he is “always… looking for news in the women’s game”, Bright said.

He also checked in to ask if she was “well and healthy” following her knee injuries ahead of Chelsea’s “big run of games”.

Bright said she believes William “genuinely is a fan of the women’s game and he’s been a massive support for the Lionesses”.

“All the tournaments that I’ve played in he’s always wished us well and kind of come and met us before we’ve headed off,” she added.

Her parents, grandmother and sister – who is expecting a baby in six weeks – accompanied her to Windsor, as well as her agent.

Bright won 88 caps during her England career and won the European Championship on home soil in 2022, before captaining the side to the World Cup final the following year.

A key cog in the Lionesses’ Euro 2022 triumph, she started every game and helped keep four clean sheets as the team clinched their first major trophy.

Bright then skippered the side at the 2023 World Cup, where England were narrowly beaten by Spain in the tournament’s showpiece.

She was not a part of the team that won Euro 2025, after she pulled out of the squad to prioritise her physical and mental health.

When she announced her retirement, England boss Sarina Wiegman said the footballer will “forever be an England legend”.

Also honoured on Wednesday was Frank Rothwell, philanthropist and owner of Oldham Athletic, who secured their return to the EFL last year.