SHE THOUGHT she was going to meet the Queen but Millie Hacking got ‘Prince Charming’ instead when she arrived at Buckingham Palace to be made an MBE last week.

After raising more than £47,000 for charity the retired play school owner from Silkstone was in London last Friday.

Her two sons and teenage granddaughter watched her received the honour from Prince Charles, who Millie describes as charming.

Millie, of Haw Court, Silkstone, said: “My only disappointment was that it wasn't the Queen but she has so many commitments and Prince Charles was a gentleman. He said: “I think you're a wonderful woman for helping so many people” and that made me very proud.

“We drove into the quadrangle and then got escorted into a huge ballroom. The decor and the paintings were out of this world and there was a settee that was about 50 yards long. It was a happy day.”

Millie got involved with the Guide Dog for the Blind Association more than 20 years ago after helping to pay for a guide dog for her blind neighbour Peter Barratt.

She regularly holds raffles of home-made chocolates and teddies to raise money in the area.

Kirsty Bower from the association's fund raising team said: “We are extremely grateful to Millie for all her fund-raising efforts over the years. With the help of people like her we are able to improve so many lives. She thoroughly deserves this recognition.”