Raleigh resident Jim Cain, the U.S ambassador to Denmark, received an award from Queen Margarethe.

Her majesty gave Cain the Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Dannebrog, the highest order the Danish government can give a foreigner, Rob Christensen reports.

The Queen said she was giving the honor "for making such extraordinary contributions, during difficult times to strengthening the bonds between Denmark and America."

Cain, a Raleigh attorney, is former president of the Carolina Hurricanes. Long active in Republican politics, Cain was a major fund raiser for President Bush.