On Tuesday, November 16, 2004, at a very impressive Investiture ceremony “that was filled with all the customary dignity one associates with British tradition", Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II officially knighted the Rt. Honourable Dr. Kennedy Simmonds, and he will now bear the title of Sir Kennedy. His wife, Mary Simmonds will have the title of Lady Simmonds. It will now be customary for him to have K.C.M.G. at the end of his name. This means he is a Knight Commander of the most distinguished order of St. Michael and St. George.
During the ritual, Dr. Simmonds would, as is the custom, kneel in front of Her Majesty, She would then tap his shoulder with the ceremonial sword and say ARISE, SIR KENNEDY!
The Order of St Michael and St. George into which Sir Kennedy has been made an illustrious member is regarded as the ORDER OF CHIVALRY. When one was placed in such an Order from medieval times until now, it was considered that one possessed the knightly virtues of courage, honour, courtesy, justice, and a readiness to help the weak. It was meant to include also the virtue of courteous behaviour, especially that of a man towards women.
These are indeed noble virtues for any man to have whether they were held in colonial or post colonial times and are extremely relevant today though seemingly on the decline.
BADGE OF HONOUR
On receiving his Knighthood, Sir Kennedy would also have received A BADGE OF HONOUR. (see photo)
On this Badge of Gold, in the centre is a raised figure of St Michael subduing Satan. This represents GOOD overcoming EVIL (see photo)
On the Badge also can be seen the Cross of St. George and the raised figure of St. George slaying the dragon – again a symbolic image of chivalry and courage, and of Good overcoming EVIL.(see photo0
The Motto of the Order AUSPICIUM MELIORIS AEVI means ''Token of a better age''
ORDER OF ST. MICHAEL AND ST. GEORGE
This Order was instituted on 27 April 1818 by the Prince Regent (later George IV), and it was intended to commemorate the placing of the Ionian Islands under British protection; Towards the end of the nineteenth century, due to the expansion of the British Empire, the Order was then extended to those who had given distinguished service in the Dominions and Colonies, as well as foreign affairs generally.
Today, the Order is awarded to men and women who have held, or will hold, high office, or who render extraordinary or important non-military service in a foreign country.
MEMBER OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL
Even before the honour of Knighthood was conferred upon Sir Kennedy, he had been made a member of the Privy Council in 1984. This membership is for life and gives him the title of Right Honourable. Historically, the Privy Council was the name given to the group of ministers who acted as chief advisers to the King or Queen. It has about 300 members.
St. Kitts and Nevis is indeed proud of this son of the soil, who from humble beginnings has risen to become a ‘man of great honour’ on the global scene. How true the saying is that “a prophet is not without honour save in his own country”. Our most sincere congratulations go to the Right Honourable, Sir Kennedy Alphone Simmonds and Lady Simmonds.
