Knight John Warner

Thu, February 19, 2009 - 4:23 PM

Former Senator John Warner is to be a knight.

The British Embassy in Washington announced Thursday that Queen Elizabeth II will name Virginia’s former senator an honorary Knight Commander for his work strengthening the American-British military alliance.

But don’t be calling Warner “sir” anytime soon. As a non-British citizen, the title of “Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire” only allows Warner to put the letters KBE after his name, according to British embassy officials.

No date for Warner’s knighting ceremony has been set. Embassy officials said it is possible that an ambassador for the queen could knight the retired 30-year Republican Senator.

“It might be the case that he would go to London,” said embassy spokesman Brendan O’Grady. “We’d be very pleased to facilitate that.”

In a statement, British Ambassador Nigel Sheinwald said: “On behalf of the British Government, I pay tribute to [Warner’s] extraordinary commitment to American national security, to the NATO alliance and the special relationship between our two countries."

Warner said in a statement: “"My wife Jeanne, who was born in London, and I both share direct ancestral lineage to the United Kingdom, and we quietly reflect on how our parents would have such joy in their hearts with this recognition."

A group of about 100 notable people from the U.S. and British political and military establishments – including Sen. Jim Webb and General David Petraeus -- learned of Warner’s knighthood at a Wednesday event at the embassy.

Previous American recipients of the British honor include: Bill Gates for his global education and healthcare philanthropy, Rudy Giuliani for his service after 9/11, and Steven Spielberg for service to the British film industry.

--Neil H. Simon