Bright received an honorary doctorate from the University of Derby in a ceremony on Thursday. Bronze, meanwhile, was awarded the same honour by Leeds Beckett University.

Bright has been acknowledged for her contributions to Chelsea - she skippered the Blues to a fifth consecutive Women’s Super League title - and the national team after captaining England to a World Cup final in 2023 and helping the Lionesses win the Euros in 2022.

She was also named the first-ever Freewoman of Derbyshire and has had a pitch named after her at her childhood club, Killamarsh Dynamos.

Bronze received her honorary doctorate from the university where she is an alumnus. The England international studied at Leeds Beckett and graduated with a degree in Sports Science in 2013 while she was playing in the WSL, then with Everton and Liverpool.

Bronze, like Bright, was a key member of the England squad that won the Euros and reached the World Cup final. The 32-year-old has also won a number of domestic and European trophies at her former clubs.

Speaking after the ceremony, she said: ‘I’m super honoured to get my honorary doctorate. I’m so excited - my family have all come and to be celebrating with everybody else graduating today is a real honour.’

Congratulations, Millie and Lucy!