15 Famous Names Who Turned Down British Honours

Novelist and short story writer Ballard, whose early life was portrayed by a young Christian Bale in the semi-autobiographical Spielberg adaptation ‘Empire of the Sun’, declined a CBE in 2003, pithily remarking that “the honours system is a Ruritanian charade that helps to prop up the top-heavy monarchy."

He didn’t stop there:

"I am opposed to the honours system. The whole thing is a preposterous charade. Thousands of medals are given out in the name of a non-existent empire. It makes us look like a laughing stock and encourages deference to the Crown. I think it is exploited by politicians and always has been. Half the honours are given to people in the armed forces and civil service as a way of keeping their loyalty. I can't take it seriously."