June 15th 2024.
Last Friday, the King shared his highly anticipated Birthday Honours List, announcing the names of those who have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to society. This year's list includes some familiar faces such as former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, subpostmaster Alan Bates, and actress Imelda Staunton. These individuals have been awarded prestigious titles such as Companion of Honour, Dame, and knighthood, respectively.
Sir Alan Bates has been acknowledged for his tireless efforts in securing justice for those wrongly accused of stealing money from the Post Office. Other notable recipients include Strictly Come Dancing icon Amy Dowden, Countdown long-timer Susie Dent, TV writer Armando Iannucci, former footballers Graeme Souness and Karen Carney, and Duran Duran singer and songwriter Simon Le Bon.
However, over the years, there have been several celebrities who have turned down these esteemed honours for various reasons. Some felt that they did not deserve such recognition, while others held anti-monarchist beliefs. Let's take a look at some of the big names who have said 'No' when presented with the Queen's or King's birthday honours.
One such celebrity is Alan Cumming, who received an OBE in 2009 for his contributions to acting and his advocacy for LGBT rights in the US. However, in early 2023, he announced that he would be returning his honour, stating that he had opened his eyes to the toxicity of the British Empire. He explained, "The Queen's death and the ensuing conversations about the role of monarchy and especially the way the British Empire profited at the expense of indigenous peoples across the world really opened my eyes."
Similarly, actor Michael Sheen, who also received an OBE in 2009, returned his honour after considering his views on Welsh independence and Prince William being named the Prince of Wales. He shared, "I remember sitting there going, 'Well, I have a choice. I either don't give this lecture and hold on to my OBE, or I give this lecture and I have to give my OBE back'." He clarified that he was not being disrespectful and that he was incredibly honoured to have received the OBE in the first place.
Comedy duo Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders were also offered OBEs in 2001 for their contributions to comedy and drama. However, they turned down the honours, with Jennifer stating, "If I felt I deserved a damehood, I'd accept it. At the time, we felt that we were being paid very well to have a lot of fun. It didn't seem right somehow." They both believed that they did not deserve such recognition and did not want to stand alongside individuals who had devoted their lives to truly worthy causes.
Legendary musician David Bowie was offered not one but two honours from the Queen, a CBE in 2000 and a knighthood in 2003. However, he turned down both, stating that he did not understand why he was being offered such titles. He also mentioned that it was not what he had spent his life working for and that it was not his place to judge others who accepted honours.
Sadly, Beatles member George Harrison, who rejected an OBE in 1997, passed away a year later from cancer. His fellow bandmate Sir Paul McCartney accepted a knighthood that same year, while Sir Ringo Starr accepted his knighthood in 2018, becoming the second Beatle to receive such an honour. Journalist Ray Connolly, who knew the band, stated that whoever decided to offer Harrison the OBE instead of knighthood was insensitive, and he would have felt insulted.
Other notable names who have turned down honours include Nigella Lawson, George the Poet, Danny Boyle, Benjamin Zephaniah, Skepta, Paul Weller, Ken Loach, Vanessa Redgrave, Martin Amis, John Cleese, Brian Eno, Roald Dahl, Stephen Hawking, Jon Snow, LS Lowry, and John Lennon. Each had their reasons for declining such recognition, whether it was not feeling deserving or not wanting to be associated with the monarchy.
In 2001, Nigella Lawson declined an OBE, stating, "I'm not saving lives and I'm not doing anything other than something I absolutely love." She believed that she did not deserve such an honour and did not want to be seen as someone who was being rewarded for something they enjoyed doing.
It is interesting to see how these celebrities have stood by their beliefs and declined these honours, which are often viewed as a great privilege. Their reasons may vary, but it goes to show that not everyone is willing to accept such recognition, and it takes courage to turn down a prestigious title.
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