Former Sen. Warner to be honorary knight

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Queen Elizabeth II plans to recognize former U.S. Sen. John Warner's services to Britain and the United States with an honorary knighthood.

Sir Nigel Sheinwald, the British ambassador to Washington, announced the knighthood Wednesday at an embassy dinner in Warner's honor, The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot reported. The guest list included former British Defense Minister Des Browne, former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, Gen. David Petraeus and Jim Webb, the Democrat who now holds Warner's Senate seat.

Warner, a Republican, represented Virginia in the Senate for three decades. Sheinwald, in a news released, called him a "constant and unstinting friend of the United Kingdom, working with us on issues ranging from defense cooperation to the Northern Ireland peace process."

Britain gives honorary knighthoods to citizens of countries that do not have the queen as head of state. Some U.S. holders of the honor include Microsoft founder Bill Gates and evangelist Billy Graham.

Honorary knights are not supposed to use "Sir" or "Dame" in front of their names.