The King's Birthday Honours list has been announced, featuring a mix of famous faces and everyday individuals. This year's list includes rugby legend Sir Kevin Sinfield and Emmerdale star Lisa Riley. While many are honored to be included, several celebrities and notable figures have declined or returned honours from the monarchy over the years. Though many keep their decisions private, some have spoken out about turning down titles.
How the Honours System Works
Potential recipients are contacted about six weeks before any public announcement to confirm in writing that they wish to be nominated. Thousands are recognized in the biannual honours list, and this year's King Charles honours are no exception. Special honours go to those making outstanding contributions to their community and country across fields like sport, health, science, technology, education, business, arts, and media. Anyone can nominate someone, with submissions sent to the Cabinet Office's Honours and Appointments Secretariat. In 2012, the Cabinet Office confirmed 277 people declined a New Year or birthday honour from 1951 to 1999. In 2020, the Guardian reported that 68 out of 2,504 offered refused, or 2.7%.
Notable Figures Who Declined or Returned Honours
George Harrison
The former Beatle rejected an OBE in 2000, reportedly because his bandmate Paul McCartney had been knighted in 1997. Friend Ray Connolly said, "Whoever decided to offer him the OBE and not the knighthood was extraordinarily insensitive. George would have felt insulted."
Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders
The comedy duo turned down OBEs for services to comedy drama in 2001. Jennifer Saunders told Source magazine, "If I felt I deserved a damehood I'd accept it. We were being paid well to have fun. It didn't seem right to stand alongside people who devoted their lives to worthy causes."
John Lennon
Every Beatles member received an MBE in 1965, but John Lennon returned his in 1969. He wrote to the Queen, "I am returning my MBE as a protest against Britain's involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam, and against Cold Turkey slipping down the charts."
David Bowie
Bowie explained, "I would never have any intention of accepting anything like that. I seriously don't know what it's for. It's not what I spent my life working for."
Michael Sheen
The actor accepted an OBE in 2009 but returned it later, saying he didn't want to be a "hypocrite" regarding his views on Wales and the British state.
Bill Nighy
Nighy, who started at Liverpool's Everyman Theatre, turned down a British honour, joining Jim Broadbent and Alan Rickman.
Jon Snow
The former Liverpool University student declined an OBE in 2000 and later made a documentary on the honours system, saying, "I tried to find out why I'd been given it and couldn't get a clear answer."
Glenda Jackson
The Oscar-winning actress and politician accepted a CBE in 1978 but reportedly turned down a damehood, saying, "I'd only want to be a dame if it was in panto."
Nigella Lawson
The celebrity chef declined an OBE in 2001, stating, "I'm not saving lives; I'm just doing something I absolutely love."
Professor Stephen Hawking
Hawking turned down a knighthood in the late 1990s due to government science funding cuts, though he had already accepted a CBE.
Paul Weller
The musician rejected a CBE in 2006; his spokesperson said, "Paul was surprised and flattered, but it wasn't really for him."
Benjamin Zephaniah
The poet rejected an OBE in 2003, protesting British government policies and the British Empire. He said the word 'empire' reminded him of slavery and brutality.
Jim Broadbent
Broadbent declined an OBE in 2002, telling The Telegraph, "Honours ought to go to those who really help others. Actors are vagabonds and rogues, not part of the Establishment."
John Cleese
The Fawlty Towers star turned down a CBE in 1996, saying he didn't want to spend winters in England and found the idea of being a peer "ridiculous."
Barry McGuigan
The boxer initially refused an MBE in 1986 but accepted it eight years later.
