For many, a royal award—be it a knighthood, an OBE, or an MBE—is the pinnacle of British success, a chance to venture into Buckingham Palace, shake hands with the royal family, and be awarded a glittering medal. Not everyone, however, has a sword tap or curtsey at their command. Historically, some of the world’s greatest actors, musicians, writers, and scientists have politely (or sternly) said, “No, thank you” to the King or Queen.
The reasons vary—personal conviction, political stance, or simply not worthy—it’s all interesting stories. Following is a reverse list of 10 noted figures who turned down or relinquished royal honors.
10. Alan Cumming
The Cabaret actor had been given an OBE in 2009 for his body of work as an actor and LGBT activism in the US. But in 2023, when the Queen passed away and renewed anger erupted over the legacy of the British Empire, Cumming gave back his award. He’d already been thanked but, having considered the Empire’s legacy on Native communities, decided he’d rather be “plain old Alan Cumming” once more.
9. Michael Sheen
Sheen received an OBE in 2009 but forfeited it in 2017. It followed a period of reading about Welsh history to prepare for delivering a lecture, and he did not believe that he could, in good conscience, retain the honor in light of what he had to say regarding Welsh independence and the monarchy. He went on to say that he did not want to be offensive but felt that he had to do what he thought.
8. Dawn French & Jennifer Saunders
The popular comedy pair refused OBEs in 2001, stating they didn’t feel appropriate to receive such an honour for just laughing at the workplace. Saunders later clarified that, unless one has done something remarkable, it feels insincere to receive an honour with individuals who have committed their lives to important causes.
7. David Bowie
Bowie famously turned down a CBE in 2000 and a knighthood in 2003. He was straightforward about his reason: he did not work for honors of that nature and did not enjoy them. He even went as far as to indicate that he did not mind Mick Jagger’s decision to accept a knighthood—it was simply not his thing.
6. George Harrison
When Harrison was shortlisted for an OBE in 2000—years following Paul McCartney’s knighthood—he refused. Although he would never have stated it in so many words, his friends felt he was insulted by the lesser rank of honour. Ray Connolly, a columnist, described it as “extraordinarily insensitive” to offer him anything less than a knighthood.
5. Nigella Lawson
The TV chef rejected an OBE in 2001, stating that she was not saving anyone’s life or doing anything other than something for fun. She concurred with French and Saunders that there should be awards only for people who are genuinely contributing.
4. Stephen Hawking
Hawking did receive a CBE in 1982 but declined a knighthood in the ’90s, allegedly due to government cuts in science budgets. It would be dishonest to accept that when scientific research is underfunded, he felt.
3. John Lennon
Lennon had an MBE with the other Beatles in 1965 but relinquished it in 1969. In his letter to the Queen, he cited as the reasons Britain’s participation in the Nigeria-Biafra war, its support of the US against Vietnam, and—characteristically—because “Cold Turkey” was falling off the charts.
2. Ken Loach
The director turned down an OBE in 1977, calling the honors system “despicable” and the British Empire a logo of exploitation. He said he didn’t want to join a club where a few “villains” had also been rewarded.
1. Benjamin Zephaniah
In 2003, the poet and activist made the headlines when he refused an OBE. According to Zephaniah, the word “empire” reminded him of slavery and the sufferings of his ancestors. Strongly anti-empire, he was even angered that he was being awarded the honor and took his refusal as a strong protest against its historical implications.
While the majority see royal awards as the climax of their professional lives, the following ten show that sometimes the strongest response can be “no” instead of “yes.” Politically, personally, or philosophically inspired, their decision became part of the public record—often leading to wider debates on history, identity, and what such honors represent.