Giuliani receives honorary knighthood

Giuliani says knighthood is an honour for New Yorkers

The former mayor of New York, Rudolph Giuliani, has received an honorary knighthood from the Queen for the role he played in the wake of the 11 September attacks.

Mr Giuliani arrived at the Palace flanked by former New York police commissioner Bernard Kerik and former New York fire commissioner Thomas von Essen, who also received honorary CBEs.

This is an honour for my entire city, not just for me

Rudolph Giuliani

As he emerged from the ceremony, Mr Giuliani stressed that he had received the honour not for himself but for the people of New York who battled through the "worst attack ever" on their country.

The former mayor then went on to be feted at a dinner hosted by the City of London at the Guildhall before holding talks with Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Commenting on his meeting with the Queen he said that as she handed him the insignia of a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire, she congratulated him on his leadership during a very difficult time and expressed her admiration.

He said: "I thanked her very much for the support, the love and the generosity of the people of Britain because, more than most, they really came to our aid and our comfort.

'No better friends'

"I said at times like that when you are under tremendous stress and attack you need friends and we had no better friends than Great Britain."

He added: "This medal is recognition for a group of people who went through the worst attack on their country ever and came through stronger than they were before and I am honoured to be their representative."

Mr Giuliani, who did not rule out running for president of the United States at some time in the future, will not be allowed to style himself "Sir Rudolph" as he is not a British citizen but can use the letters KBE after his name.

Giuliani's visit

Receive knighthood

Meet prime minister

Lunch with Lord Mayor of London

Attend PMQs

Dinner with Richard Branson

Visit Scotland Yard

Mr Giuliani was accompanied at the investiture by Elizabeth Petrone, his executive assistant for 18 years, whose husband Terry Hatton, a captain in the New York Fire Department, was killed on 11 September.

Mrs Petrone is pregnant with Mr Hatton's child.

Following the investiture the former mayor celebrated at an official lunch at Mansion House in the City.

British victims

During the meal it was announced that Britons had raised £4.9m for the victims of the September 11 attacks.

Children who lost parents and families of the 61 British victims will receive help from the funds, said Lord Levene, chairman of the UK appeal fund.

Speaking earlier to the BBC, the former mayor said the way Britons carried on through the Blitz and the Battle of Britain in World War II immediately came to mind as he struggled to lead his city after 11 September.

He said he also drew strength from the life of Britain's wartime leader Winston Churchill whom Mr Giuliani described as his "great hero".

The former mayor also had the opportunity to thank Mr Blair for the UK's support in the wake of the US terror attacks at a joint new conference while the prime minister praised Mr Giuliani for his leadership.