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The New Year's and birthday honours lists are seen by many as the ultimate recognition of a life dedicated to public service. These lists, which include thousands of names from across the UK, both civilian and celebrity, honour their achievements and service with awards such as knighthoods, damehoods, or MBEs.
King Charles' latest list is set to be unveiled on the evening of December 30, 2024.
However, not everyone who is offered an honour accepts it. While it's unusual to publicly disclose a refusal, there have been notable instances over the years where those who have declined the monarch's offer have made their decision known.
There are also instances when someone initially accepts an honour, only to return it later. Potential recipients are contacted approximately six weeks before any public announcement to confirm in writing that they wish to be nominated for an honour, in an effort to avoid any awkward situations.
During Queen Elizabeth II's seven-decade reign, many thousands of people some famous, others less so were recognised in the biannual honours lists. This year's New Year's list will, of course, be King Charles' honours announcement.
A slew of high-profile figures, including writers, artists, and musicians, have famously declined British honours.
The Cabinet Office revealed in 2012 that from 1951 to 1999, a total of 277 individuals had turned down New Year or birthday honours. While it was once unusual for recipients to publicly acknowledge declining an honour after the official list was published, it has become more common for celebrities to openly refuse.
Ken Loach
Ken Loach rejected an OBE in 1977. His films focus on social issues such as poverty and homelessness.
He told the Radio Times in 2001: "It's all the things I think are despicable: patronage, deferring to the monarchy, and the name of the British Empire, which is a monument of exploitation and conquest. I turned down the OBE because it's not a club you want to join when you look at the villains who've got it."
Former Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow declined an OBE in 2000 and later made a documentary in 2002 titled Secrets of the Honours System. He remains critical of the use of the term 'empire' in our honours system.
"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," he said afterwards.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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