The term 'prepared to be knighted' is a phrase that refers to the traditional ceremony of knighthood. In this ceremony, the person being knighted kneels before the monarch or other person of authority and is then tapped on the shoulder with a sword. The two crossword solutions for this term are 'kneeled' (7 letters) and 'knelt' (5 letters). Kneeling is an act of humility and respect, and is a necessary part of the knighting ceremony.