🌟 Not All That Glitters…🌟
Every year, the New Year’s Honours List celebrates the accomplishments of extraordinary individuals from various fields. While many eagerly accept titles such as CBE, MBE, or knighthood, some famous figures have bucked tradition and declined these royal accolades.
Celebrities like singer David Bowie, who rejected a knighthood, said, “It’s not what I spent my life working for.” Meanwhile, Cardiff’s very own Roald Dahl and Monty Python legend John Cleese also turned down such honours. Cleese famously remarked on the silliness of it all, preferring independence over formal titles.
There’s also a record held by the artist LS Lowry, who turned down honours not once, but five times! His reason? A desire to remain private and unchanged by titles.
The late, great Alan Rickman and the comedic duo Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders join this unique club, choosing to keep their careers separate from the formal recognition of the establishment.
Even world’s renowned physicist Stephen Hawking turned down a knighthood, apparently due to disagreements over government funding for science.
These are individuals who, despite their remarkable contributions, opted to stay out of what some see as the lasting legacy of monarchy and empire. Each has their personal reasons, and while some may find it surprising, refusing a royal honour is more common than you might think.
The latest New Year’s list is around the corner, recognising yet another set of achievers. Who will accept the invitation and who might say “thanks, but no thanks”? Stay tuned to find out!
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