Alan Cumming, John Lennon: All the celebrities who returned the honours given by Royal Family

Would you turn down any honour given to you by the Royal Family? While receiving an honour from the British Royal Family is what many people dream of, some have had the chance to accept it and yet pass it on or return it eventually.

For King Charles’ birthday - that’s celebrated twice in a year - Former PM Gordon Brown, subpostmaster Alan Bates, and actress Imelda Staunton were among the few names who received honours this year. Strictly Come Dancing icon Amy Dowden, who recently gave a major health update, was also one of them. However many celebs have over the years refused or returned the honours given to them by the Royal Family.

Celebrities who returned their honours given by the Royal Family

Let’s start with the celebrities who were given an award that they accepted only to turn it down a few years later.

Alan Cumming

In 2023, Alan Cumming returned the OBE he was awarded in 2009 on Queen’s birthday. On his 58th birthday, the Scottish actor took to his Instagram and posted how he had recently ‘opened his eyes’ to the ‘toxicity’ of the British Empire, reports The Guardian. Queen Elizabeth’s death in 2022, and the conversations about the monarchy that it started, prompted him to do a little soul-searching. As a result, he ended up giving the honour back. He said he especially considered the way ‘the British Empire profited at the expense (and death) of Indigenous peoples across the world.’

John Lennon

In 1969, The Beatles star John Lennon returned his MBE 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.’

Michael Sheen

Like Alan Cumming, Michael Sheen was awarded an OBE in 2009 and he also gave it back years later. The Welsh actor ‘researched a lot’ on Welsh history and believed that his home nation of Wales should be independent of the United Kingdom. According to Metro.co.uk, he disapproved of Prince William as the Prince of Wales.

Celebrities who turned down the honours given to them by British Royalty

From not feeling like they deserve it to feeling their work doesn't necessarily need an honour, here’s a list of celebs who turned down the honours given to them.

Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders

In 2001, the comedy duo Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders were both offered OBEs for their services to comedy and drama. However, the two turned down the offer as it ‘didn’t seem right somehow.’ Jennifer explained that the duo felt they were ‘being paid very well to have a lot of fun’ and it felt ‘fake’ to stand next to people ‘who devoted their lives to truly worthy causes.’

David Bowie

The English singer and songwriter turned down two honours from the British empire before his death in 2016. He was first offered a CBE in 2000 and a knighthood in 2003. Explaining his decision he said:

I would never have any intention of accepting anything like that. I seriously don’t know what it’s for.

George Harrison

The lead Guitarist of The Beatles turned down an OBE award a year before his death. A journalist, Ray Connolly, who was close with the band suggested that George may have felt ‘insulted’ to be offered an OBE instead of a knighthood.

Nigella Lawson

TV cook and food writer has given us many great recipes with wanting nothing in return. In 2001, Nigella turned down the offer for accepting an OBE giving the reason that she’s ‘not saving lives’ but only doing what she absolutely loves.

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Sources Used

The Guardian: Alan Cumming hands back his OBE citing the ‘toxicity of empire’

Metro.co.uk: All the celebrities who refused or returned honours from the Royal Family