Sen. Ted Kennedy has received many awards in his life, but this one may take the cake.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown will announce today that the long-serving, 77-year-old legislator, often referred to as the "lion of the Senate," will receive an honory knighthood from her majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. The move will be made official when Brown, who’s visiting the States this week, addresses Congress this afternoon, reports the Washington Post.

Only 85 other American citizens have received the honor since Elizabeth took office, including Ronald Reagan, Bob Hope and Henry Kissinger. Unfortunately for Sen. Kennedy, he will not become a "sir," for the knighting will be purely symbolic.