Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) joined the ranks of Bono, Charlie Chaplin, Sidney Poitier and Rudy Giuliani on March 4 when British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced the veteran politician's honorary knighthood.
Kennedy's official rank is Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. The distinction, bestowed by Queen Elizabeth II, is designated as honorary because Kennedy is not a British citizen.
In a statement released after Brown's speech, Kennedy thanked the British government and highlighted his own support for transatlantic cooperation.
"I have always prized the opportunity to work with the British government and strengthen and deepen the role of our two countries as leading beacons of democracy in the world," Kennedy said. "I am proud that I was able to play a part in the decades-long effort to bring peace to Northern Ireland."
Speaking before a joint session of the U.S. Congress, Brown echoed this sentiment. In particular, Kennedy, a prominent Irish-American politician, helped push for stability in the turbulent Northern Ireland region in the 1990s.
Since Kennedy is not a British citizen, he cannot be referred to as Sir Kennedy. Non-citizens attach the acronym KBE, for Knight of the British Empire, to the end of their names.
— by Saumya Vaishampayan
