Recent headlines have revealed that two people have turned down being on former prime minister Liz Truss’s resignation honours list.
Of course, the resignation honours list isn’t the only way you can receive a decoration. In fact, most honours are given out on the monarch’s official birthday and to mark the new year, with the monarch deciding on who to award based on recommendations from the Government and the public.
Contrary to popular belief, an honour being rejected isn’t as rare as one might think. Throughout history, a number of people have turned down the recognition.
But why do people turn awards down and who are some of the most prominent people that have turned down honours?
Why do people turn them down?
When the monarch has informally approved to give a person an honour, the recipient in question will receive a formal letter.
This letter will ask them if they would like to accept the honour the monarch would like to bestow upon them. The recipient then has the right to decide whether they would like to accept it or not.
While many decide to go ahead and accept the honour, a number of people over the years have rejected it. Their reasonings for it have ranged from political stances to believing they didn’t deserve the title.
List of notable names who rejected honours
Roald Dahl
The beloved children’s author, known for books like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, reportedly turned down a knighthood in 1986.
The information was revealed by a Freedom of Information Act submission by the Telegraph. However, the reason for Dahl turning down the honour wasn’t included.
Nigella Lawson
Famous TV chef Nigella Lawson once revealed that she turned down an OBE from the Queen in 2001.
As for her reasoning, she explained: “I’m not saving lives and I’m not doing anything other than something I absolutely love.”
Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders
The comedy duo, known for their work on Absolutely Fabulous among many other well-known films and television series, turned down OBEs back in 2001.
Talking about it to Source Magazine in 2008, Saunders confessed: “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… It felt a bit fake to stand alongside people who devoted their lives to truly worthy causes,” she added.
David Bowie
The iconic performer has turned down honours from the Queen twice: once in 2000 when he was offered a CBE and later, in 2003, when he was offered a knighthood.
The musician explained why he made those decisions, saying: “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.”
Stephen Hawking
The legendary scientist was apparently offered a knighthood back in the 1990s but he decided to turn it down.
His decision was reported to be due to the UK Government’s science-funding decisions.
Jon Snow
The news anchor and journalist who made a name for himself in the world of news with a decades-long career was offered an OBE in the past, but rejected it.
Talking to the New York Times about it, Snow explained that he believed journalists shouldn’t take honours from the Government and added: “I tried to find out why I’d been given it and was unable to get a clear answer or, indeed, to find out who had proposed me.”
LS Lowry
The famed painter is believed to hold the record for the most refusals, having reportedly turned down five honours, including a knighthood, a CBE, and an OBE.
His close friend Harold Riley later revealed that the artist was a private and guarded person who would not have wanted to change his name, which contributed to his decision not to accept the honours.
John Lennon
The Beatle initially accepted an MBE, however later, in 1969, he decided to return it in protest of Britain’s foreign policies.
In a letter, he explained: “Your Majesty, I am returning this in 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.
“With Love, John Lennon of Bag.”
