It may a come as a surprise that royal honors are regularly given to those who are not royalty. The practice and ceremony of bestowing honor grows increasingly controversial. Celebrities and those with infamous careers have been tapped on the shoulder to receive potential honors. Ironically, acceptance and refusal of honors from the British queen incite both disdain and patriotism.
The list of people who have declined royal honors is surprisingly long. Some celebrities like Tom Hanks have humorously expressed their wish to be knighted-other celebrities fail to see any honor or power in being knighted by the queen. Another group of people finds the offer offensive. There are entire countries that have deemed knights and dames no longer necessary to modern society. So, what does it mean to receive a knighthood? It depends on who you ask.
David Bowie
Countless famous musicians have accepted the Queen’s honors, such as Paul McCartney and Elton John. On the contrary, some musicians refuse British royal titles no matter how many times offered. David Bowie, also known as Ziggy Stardust and the Thin White Duke, rejected the title CBE in 2000. Three years later, Bowie received a knighthood offer to which he declined. Being awarded a title by the Queen was not an accomplishment for Bowie.
The music legend was quoted as saying, “I seriously don’t know what it’s for.” His musical counterpart Mick Jagger accepted a CBE from the Queen in 2003, a few months after Bowie rejected knighthood. However, David Bowie does take honors, just not from the Queen. He accepted Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French government in 1999. Perhaps Bowie preferred a title that addresses explicitly his contributions to art and music rather than pay homage to the British Empire. The closest that Bowie has come to becoming royalty is voicing a character on Spongebob Squarepants. In 2007, he was the voice of Lord Royal Highness.
Stephen Hawking
Stephen Hawking is arguably one of the greatest scientific names to decline knighthood. Hawking made it clear that he did not approve of the British government’s handling of science funds. This was the original reason why he refused to accept honors from the queen.
He publicly stated how he felt about government cuts in spending on university physics departments. Hawking was very vocal about how cutting grants would be damaging to British science and Britain’s international reputation. He also stated that he didn't like the concept of knighthood and titles. Initially, Hawking refused the Queen’s honors but must have had a change of heart when he accepted a CBE in 1982. He also received a fellowship from the Royal Society of Arts. Hawking received yet another royal honor when Queen Elizabeth gave him the title Companion of Honour in 1989.
John Cleese
Actor and comedian John Cleese is well known for his roles in Monty Python and Fawlty Towers rather than the honors he refused. Cleese was offered a CBE by the queen in 1996. Cleese called it silly and turned it down.
Cleese has made a substantial donation to the Liberal Democratic Party. British politician and diplomat known as Paddy Ashdown extended a peerage offer to Cleese. Cleese stated that the peerage was offered to him because of how he helped the party. The peerage would have made the actor a Baron, a title just below Count.
As a result of accepting a peerage, Cleese would have to spend his winters in England and called it “too much of a price to pay.” Taking a peerage comes along with generational benefits. If Cleese had accepted, the peerage would have affected the names of his descendants. As a working peer, he would have to attend the House of Lords regularly. Attending the House of Lords places the individual in a position where they directly affect law-making and government. Cleese declined the peerage in 1999.
Danny Boyle
The Academy Award-winning director Danny Boyle is on the list of those who turned down British honors. Boyle has directed several well-known films including; Slumdog Millionaire, 28 Days Later, and Steve Jobs. Boyle is the recipient of an Oscar for his filmmaking which has put him in the spotlight for knighthood.
Boyle put on a tremendous show at the Olympics where a performer parachuted to the ground dressed as the queen. Many viewers took his Olympic show as an extreme display of patriotism. The presentation stirred pride and was impressive to onlookers. The parachuting body double of the queen made viewers feel that the director was paying homage to Britain. Boyle explained that the show was meant to inspire rather than honor the queen.
He clarified in an interview that this was what the opening ceremony was about. Boyle says he prefers to be a man of the people and his pride lies in being an equal citizen. The government’s arts and media honors committee suggested Boyle for knighthood. The award-winning director didn't formally decline, but he hasn't accepted any royal titles either.
Michael Faraday
Michael Faraday is known as the physicist who discovered electromagnetic induction but refused a knighthood. He is noted as saying that he will remain “plain” Michael Faraday until his “very last.” Although Faraday declined CBE, he still has royal ties. He lectured at the Royal Institution and eventually took his mentor’s place.
The Royal Institution was given nobility by Charles II in 1661 followed by a royal charter. Queen Victoria offered Faraday more than knight honors. The physicist was also given room and board at Hampton Court. Faraday remained at the residence for 19 years until his passing on August 25, 1867. The house was initially called the Master Mason’s home and later took the name Faraday House after his death. Faraday had no need for royal letters around his name but every need for free room and board.
Benjamin Zephaniah
Benjamin Zephaniah didn't believe he would ever be chosen for honors. This is because he wrote a book containing a poem called “Bought and Sold” that indicates his disapproval of the monarchy. The poet stated in an interview that he wouldn’t accept anything from the British monarchy. This made it clear to the author that whoever selected him for the honor was not familiar with his work. Zephaniah also stated that acceptance would make him obliged to say pleasant things about the monarchy and not criticize them in any way.
He stated that he has issues with having a head of state that has not been elected, such as a monarchy. The poet judges a head of state according to his own experiences. So, he tried to meet Tony Blair on his terms to no avail. He said he was “horrified” when he received the confidential letter from the queen. During his interview, Zephaniah rehashed a history of people being taken from Africa to the Caribbean and the Americas to work as slaves. In the interview, he mentioned that a member of his family had his hands cut off for refusing to bow during the national anthem.
Bernie Ecclestone
For almost 40 years, Bernie Ecclestone led the multi-billion dollar organization Formula One as the chief executive. He was offered the title of CBE in 1996 which he refused. Ecclestone was slated to receive the honor for his services to motor racing. The Formula One mogul is very blunt and to the point. In a 2008 interview, he used profanity to explain how unappealing the idea of knighthood is to him.
One of Bernie’s contemporaries, Max Mosley, expressed Bernie should be honored for helping racing reach global popularity. Mosley was the president of the FIA, the organization that regulates motor racing. He had had comments about Bernie claiming knighthood. Before Max Mosley stepped down from his role as president, he stated that Bernie should have been knighted for all he’s done in the world of motorsports.
While Ecclestone doesn't want honors himself, he has no problem suggesting other people who should receive royal honors. The longtime Formula One leader stated in another interview that it would be “right and proper” to honor Ross Brawn. Ross is the managing director of motorsports for Formula One.
Paul Weller
Paul Weller is a musician who was included on the New Years Honours List in 2006. He publicly declined to become a commander of the order of the British empire. Weller expressed his disdain for the British establishment in an interview with the BBC. Paul was surprised at his selection and did not feel the title was for him. Paul went on to say that he doesn’t like the royal family or the British establishment.
He stated that accepting the title is pointless and would have made him a hypocrite. Ironically, Paul declined royal honors and then encouraged someone else to take it. Cyclist Bradley Wiggins talked about potentially accepting knighthood while at his tailor with Paul Weller. Wiggins had his doubts about receiving CBE honors because he never saw himself as a sir. He says that Paul was the force that convinced him to accept a knighthood in 2012.
Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders
The number of women offered an OBE or damehood is slim. The number of female comedians offered royal honors are even smaller. The famous comedy duo Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French were once on the Queen’s honors list. Both Jennifer and Dawn were offered OBEs. The comedians instead decided to join the list of “refuseniks” by declining in 2001.
Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders were nominated to receive the honors for their services to comedy drama. The duo stated that during this time in their careers they were having a lot of fun and it didn’t seem right to accept it. They said in their interview that they didn’t feel right standing in the ranks of those who had dedicated their lives to worthy causes.
John Lennon
Musical icon John Lennon’s story of refusal is unique on this list for one reason. He initially accepted the MBE and later dropped the title in 1969. Lennon refused to support the Vietnam War, so he had the insignia physically sent back because of Britain’s support of America in the Vietnam War. Lennon’s chauffeur Les Anthony returned it to Buckingham Palace. In response, Lennon wrote back to the queen that he couldn’t accept the offer because of Britain’s activities in the “Nigeria-Biafra” thing.
Lennon was referring to what is known as the Nigerian or Biafran Civil War which ended in 1970. He signed off his letter to the Queen as “John Lennon of Bag,” referencing his newly owned Bag Productions. In an interview, Lennon explained that it took him a couple of years to reach this decision. He also revealed that he didn’t consult with his band members. For Lennon, the last straw in dropping the title was the My Lai massacre.