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Dame Kelly Holmes: Judging Sun's Millies is one of the hardest things I've ever done
By TOM NEWTON DUNN, Defence Editor – The Sun 11 Dec 2008
PRINCE Charles hosted a unique VIP panel yesterday as they met to decide The Sun’s new Military Awards.
The 12-strong team has to sift almost a THOUSAND nominations for “Millies” to honour Britain’s Forces.
Charles, proud of Army sons William and Harry, greeted the judges at his Clarence House home.
And one of the panel, Olympic heroine and ex-soldier Dame Kelly Holmes, said: “Judging the Millies is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. There are so many worthy winners”.
The Millies — originally Prince Charles’ idea — aim to recognise just a few of the incredible deeds by our men and women in uniform. All the nominations have come from YOU.
Charles told the judges: “Thank you for coming. It’s a wonderful project.”
They include SAS legend Andy McNab, former Army head General Sir Mike Jackson, England rugby stars Martin Johnson and Lawrence Dallaglio and actor Ross Kemp.
Others are ex-Royal Navy chief Lord West, former RAF boss Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squires and The Sun’s Defence Editor Tom Newton Dunn.
Three judges — England footie skipper John Terry, Sun columnist and Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson, and former SAS commander Lord Guthrie — could not be there yesterday but their votes were still counted.
A shortlist of three has been drawn up for each award. There are 12 categories for nominations including Best Recruit, True Grit, Best Unit and the Most Outstanding member of each Service.
Each Millie is a stunning brass globe topped by three tall strands of silver. The awards ceremony will be held at London’s Hampton Court Palace next Tuesday and televised on Sky One.