British Honours: Notable Figures Who Declined Knighthoods and Peerages
The British honours system is designed to recognize exceptional achievement and service to the state. However, for some of the world's most accomplished individuals, the prestige of a title is less appealing than the freedom of anonymity or the consistency of their personal convictions. While most offers of honours are handled privately to avoid public controversy, a significant number of high-profile figures have famously declined these accolades.
In the modern era, potential recipients are typically contacted in writing to confirm their willingness to be nominated before any public announcement is made. Despite this discretion, leaks and personal disclosures have revealed a growing trend of refusal. According to a 2020 report by The Guardian based on Freedom of Information requests, 68 out of 2,504 people (approximately 2.7%) declined an honour in 2020 alone. Notably, the number of people rejecting British honours doubled between 2010 and 2020.
ไม่มีภาพประกอบ
Key Facts
- L.S. Lowry holds the record for the most honours declined, having turned down an OBE, CBE, a knighthood, and the Order of the Companions of Honour twice.
- The Sunday Times reported in 2003 that nearly 300 people declined honours between 1951 and 1999.
- Reasons for refusal range from a dislike of titles (Stephen Hawking) to political protests against colonialism (Doris Lessing, Phyll Opoku-Gyimah).
- Some individuals, such as Tony Blair and Vanessa Redgrave, initially declined certain honours but accepted others later in life.
Reasons for Rejecting Honours
The motivations behind declining a British honour are as diverse as the people who receive them. Some, like the physicist Stephen Hawking, simply stated they did not like titles. Others, such as Tony Blair, felt that certain institutions—specifically the House of Lords—were "not my sort of thing."
Political and ethical objections are also common. Doris Lessing declined a Damehood (DBE) because it was awarded in the name of a "non-existent Empire." Similarly, Phyll Opoku-Gyimah refused an MBE in protest against the persecution of LGBT individuals by colonial regimes, and Hamish Henderson declined an honour in protest of the Thatcher government's nuclear policies.
Notable Refusals by Category
Peerages and Life Peerages
A peerage grants a seat in the House of Lords, the upper house of the UK Parliament. Several former Prime Ministers and politicians have declined this elevation. Sir Tony Blair declined a peerage in 2007, though he later accepted the Order of the Garter in 2022. Other notable refusers include industrialist Samuel Courtauld and politician Mark Bonham Carter.
Knighthoods and Damehoods
Knighthoods (for men) and Damehoods (for women) are among the most recognized honours. Many artists and intellectuals have shunned these titles to maintain their independence. Novelists Joseph Conrad and Graham Greene, as well as playwright Harold Pinter, are among those who declined. In the arts, sculptor Henry Moore and actor Paul Scofield (who declined three times) also opted out.
ไม่มีภาพประกอบ
Orders of the British Empire (OBE, CBE, MBE)
The Order of the British Empire is a widely awarded order of chivalry. While many accept these, some use the refusal as a statement. Anish Kapoor and Rachel Whiteread declined MBEs, while John Fowles declined a CBE. As mentioned, L.S. Lowry famously rejected multiple grades of this order over several decades.
Summary of Notable Declines
| Person | Honour Declined | Primary Reason/Context |
|---|---|---|
| L.S. Lowry | OBE, CBE, Knighthood, CH | Record holder for most honours declined |
| Stephen Hawking | Knighthood | Dislike of titles |
| Doris Lessing | DBE, OBE | Objection to the concept of Empire |
| Tony Blair | Life Peerage | House of Lords was "not my sort of thing" |
| John Lennon | MBE | Renounced and returned insignia in 1969 |
Renouncing Honours
While most people decline an honour before it is formally bestowed, a small number have accepted an honour only to return it later. The most famous instance is musician John Lennon, who returned his MBE insignia in 1969 as a political statement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some people decline a British knighthood?
Reasons vary from personal modesty and a dislike of formal titles to deep-seated political objections regarding the British Empire or specific government policies.
Who has declined the most British honours?
The artist L.S. Lowry holds the record, having declined an OBE, a CBE, a knighthood, and the Order of the Companions of Honour on two separate occasions.
Can someone accept an honour after previously declining one?
Yes. For example, Bill Deedes declined a knighthood in 1973 but later accepted a life peerage in 1986 and a Knight Commander appointment in 1999.
What is the difference between declining and renouncing an honour?
Declining occurs when a person refuses the offer before the honour is formally granted. Renouncing occurs when a person who has already accepted the honour decides to give it back or return the insignia.
How are honours handled today to avoid public controversy?
Potential recipients are now contacted privately and must confirm in writing that they wish to be put forward for the honour before any public announcement is made.