Senator Lugar Becomes a British Knight??!

In an investiture ceremony at the British Embassy in Washington Tuesday night, Senator Richard Lugar received one of Britain’s highest honors — honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

Awarded by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and presented by the British Ambassador, Sir Peter Westmacott, Lugar was recognized for years of service making the world more secure from nuclear, chemical and biological weapons… and his political career commitment to the UK-US alliance.

In a release before the ceremony, Luger said, “I am deeply honored that Her Majesty the Queen of England has conferred upon me the rank of honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. I was first inspired by her leadership when she received me as a young Rhodes Scholar in London, 58 years ago, and asked me about Indiana. I have focused my service on solving our most serious challenges in a spirit of cooperation between our countries, our allies, and all people of good will. I take this appointment as encouragement to continue these endeavors.”

Lugar joins Colin Powell, Bill Gates, Steven Spielberg, Rudolf Giuliani, Alan Greenspan, and other US nationals who have received honorary British knighthoods.

*Image provided courtesy of the British Embassy to the United States, by UKinUSA