On December 6, 2001, Billy Graham was made an honorary knight by British Ambassador Sir Christopher Meyer at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

In his acceptance remarks he said the following:

I read a quote that appeared in The Daily News in 1903 about Queen Victoria. After hearing the dean preach a sermon about Christ’s return to earth, Queen Victoria said, “Oh how I wish that the Lord might come during my lifetime.” When the dean asked her why, she replied, “I should like to lay my crown at his feet.” And that’s the way I feel tonight about any honors that may come to me. I’d like to lay it at his feet and plan to do it some day and at my age it won’t be too long.

In the same way, I want to give God all the glory and all the praise for what has been accomplished in my life and those of my family and associates that are here tonight. I, too, look forward to the day when I can see Jesus face to face and lay at His feet any honor I’ve ever received because He deserves it all.

Billy Graham’s Honorary Knight Commander of the British Empire medal is part of the Billy Graham Library Archives. To see other memorabilia on display in The Journey of Faith tour, plan your visit today at BillyGrahamLibrary.org.