The Kennedy dynasty has been called Camelot. But today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy became a knight.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown bestowed the distinction from the Queen on the ailing Mr. Kennedy during his address to a joint session of Congress this morning.
Mr. Brown described “Sir Edward Kennedy” as “one of your most distinguished senators, known in every continent, and a great friend.” He hailed the work of the Massachusetts Democrat on bringing peace to Northern Ireland and expanding access to healthcare and education.
“And for all those things, we owe a great debt to the life and courage of, Senator Edward Kennedy,” Mr. Brown said.
Mr. Brown said he called Mr. Kennedy to inform him of the honor Tuesday evening. Mr. Kennedy, who has spent the bulk of the winter working and recuperating at a rented home in Miami, did not attend the speech. He is expected to return to Washington by this weekend, and will be feted at a belated birthday tribute at the Kennedy Center Sunday.
“This honor is moving and personal,” Mr. Kennedy said Wednesday in a statement, “A reflection not only of my public life, but of things that profoundly matter to me as an individual. I accept this honor in the spirit in which it is given, with a continuing commitment to be a voice for the voiceless and for the shared ideals of freedom and fairness which are so fundamental to the character of our two countries.”
The Times of London explains that Mr. Kennedy cannot actually go by “Sir Ted,” because he is not a British subject, but rather he will have “K.B.E.,” for “Knight of the British Empire,” after his name.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown bestowed the distinction from the Queen on the ailing Mr. Kennedy during his address to a joint session of Congress this morning.
Mr. Brown described “Sir Edward Kennedy” as “one of your most distinguished senators, known in every continent, and a great friend.” He hailed the work of the Massachusetts Democrat on bringing peace to Northern Ireland and expanding access to healthcare and education.
“And for all those things, we owe a great debt to the life and courage of, Senator Edward Kennedy,” Mr. Brown said.
Mr. Brown said he called Mr. Kennedy to inform him of the honor Tuesday evening. Mr. Kennedy, who has spent the bulk of the winter working and recuperating at a rented home in Miami, did not attend the speech. He is expected to return to Washington by this weekend, and will be feted at a belated birthday tribute at the Kennedy Center Sunday.
“This honor is moving and personal,” Mr. Kennedy said Wednesday in a statement, “A reflection not only of my public life, but of things that profoundly matter to me as an individual. I accept this honor in the spirit in which it is given, with a continuing commitment to be a voice for the voiceless and for the shared ideals of freedom and fairness which are so fundamental to the character of our two countries.”
The Times of London explains that Mr. Kennedy cannot actually go by “Sir Ted,” because he is not a British subject, but rather he will have “K.B.E.,” for “Knight of the British Empire,” after his name.
Go to:
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/04/kennedy-knight-of-the-british-empire/?hp
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