Port Authority Director Earns Honorary Title From Queen Elizabeth II

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's program director has received an honorary title from Queen Elizabeth II.

Glenn Guzi is now an honorary member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, which rewards contributions in arts, science and public service.

He said he was shocked by the honor.

"I almost was like are you joking?" Guzi told WCBS 880's Stephanie Colombini. "It's not something I ever thought about, ever thought would be possible, or ever dreamt of."

The 47-year-old Peekskill, New York, resident has been taking members of the royal family on tours of the World Trade Center site for 15 years, the Journal News reported.

It started in 1990, when Guzi met Prince Charles and Princess Diana while studying abroad in London. Years later, Guzi served as Princess Anne's guide. Over the years, he's also taken other royal family members, including the queen herself.

"They're very warm. None of it was simply out of duty, there was a deep emotional interest and connection," Guzi said.

The tours are personal for Guzi, who worked in one of the original World Trade Center towers at the time of the attacks.

"For me it's just a matter of fixing what happened," Guzi said.

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