REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The Queen Elizabeth II awarded knighthood to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) during his visit to London, UK, on Tuesday.  Presidential Staff on International Relations, Teuku Faizasyah, said SBY awarded Knight Grand Cross in the Order of Bath, the highest of the classes in the Order of the Bath.

Previously, there are several other foreign leaders have received the knighthood. They are President of the US Ronald Reagan, President of France Jacques Chirac, and President of Turkey Abdullah Gul. Yet, Faizasyah said that the Queen would not hold special ceremony. 

"The Queen will show it to President SBY at display room after lunch banquet on October 31," he said.

SBY and the first lady Ani Yudhoyono have flown to London on Tuesday morning. Also accompanied by Minister of Defense Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Minister for Foreign Affairs Marty Natalegawa, and the Speaker of House of Representatives Marzuki Alie, SBY is expected to meet Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Miniser of UK David Cameron, the Price of Wales, British Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg and the opposition leader Ed Miliband.

The entourage will be in UK until November 3. They will continue their visit to Laos to attend the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).

According to the official website of the British Monarchy, the Order of Bath is mainly awarded to officers of the Armed Services, as well as to a small number of civil servants. The Order now consists of the Sovereign (The Queen), the Great Master (The Prince of Wales) and three classes of members. The statutes provide for 120 Knights and Dames Grand Cross (GCB), 295 Knights and Dames Commander (KCB and DCB) and 1,455 Companions (CB).

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