On Tuesday, the prime minister, Defence Secretary Des Browne, Veterans Minister Tom Watson and Mr Brown will meet veterans from almost 40 groups and from "as broad a range of experience, service and age as possible", Tony Blair has said.
Normally Robbie Williams' presence would gladden the heart, but his single nomination this year due to an eligibility hiccup means he'll have to sit there with a gracious smile on his face while Bowie, Van Morrison, Ian Brown, Tom Jones and Sting gamely slug it out for Best Solo artist - tired heavyweights to a man.