Alan Cumming's Royal Encounter After OBE Return Over Empire Legacy
Scottish-American actor Alan Cumming is set for a potentially awkward encounter with the royal family as he hosts the prestigious BAFTA awards ceremony this Sunday. This comes following his highly publicised decision to return his Officer of the British Empire honour, which he received in 2009 for his advocacy work with the LGBTQ+ community in the United States.
A Change of Heart Regarding Imperial History
In 2023, Cumming made the significant move to hand back his OBE, explaining that he had "opened [his] eyes" to what he described as the "toxicity" of the British Empire. While he expressed being "honoured" at the time of the original award presentation, the actor stated that subsequent events had fundamentally altered his perspective.
"The Queen's death and the ensuing conversations about the role of monarchy and especially the way the British Empire profited at the expense (and death) of indigenous peoples across the world really opened my eyes," Cumming explained in his public statement regarding the OBE return.
Evolution of LGBTQ+ Rights and Imperial Associations
The actor further elaborated that changing times had influenced his decision. "Also, thankfully, times and laws in the US have changed, and the great good the award brought to the LGBTQ+ cause back in 2009 is now less potent than the misgivings I have being associated with the toxicity of empire," he noted, specifically referencing that OBE stands for Officer of the British Empire.
Cumming maintained gratitude for the original honour while explaining his position. "I returned my award, explained my reasons and reiterated my great gratitude for being given it in the first place. I'm now back to being plain old Alan Cumming again," the popular host of The Traitors US edition told his supporters.
Celebrity Backlash and Support
The decision attracted significant attention, including criticism from broadcaster Piers Morgan, who took to social media to describe Cumming as "a pathetic, disingenuous, disloyal, attention-seeking little twerp." This contrasted with Cumming's established reputation as an acclaimed performer who has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including a BAFTA award, two Emmy Awards, an Olivier Award, and two Tony Awards.
Historical Precedents of Honour Returns
Cumming joins several other notable figures who have returned British honours. Welsh actor Michael Sheen returned his OBE in December 2020 after extensive research into Welsh history led him to conclude he would be a "hypocrite" to retain the award. Former Channel 4 newsreader Jon Snow declined an OBE in 2000, believing journalists should not accept honours from the Royal Family.
Perhaps most famously, Beatles legend John Lennon returned his MBE in 1965, writing 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." Snow later produced a documentary examining the honours system, seeking to uncover instances of improper influence in award allocations.
The upcoming BAFTA ceremony therefore presents a unique moment where Cumming's principled stand regarding imperial legacy intersects with his professional responsibilities as host, creating what promises to be a noteworthy cultural and political moment in British entertainment.
