Key Takeaways:
- The New Year Honours 2026 list recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions to British society, with notable recipients including Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, Idris Elba, and Sarina Wiegman.
- Some individuals have returned or refused honours due to various reasons, including modesty, disagreement with the honours system, or association with the British Empire.
- Notable examples of individuals who have returned or refused honours include Alan Cumming, Michael Sheen, John Lennon, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, David Bowie, and George Harrison.
- Honours can be withdrawn or forfeited due to criminal conviction, bringing the honours system into disrepute, or other reasons, with examples including Paula Vennells, Jimmy Saville, Rolf Harris, and Harvey Weinstein.
Introduction to the New Year Honours
The New Year Honours 2026 list has been released, recognizing outstanding achievements and contributions to British society. The list includes notable recipients such as ice dancers Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, actor Idris Elba, and Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman. The honours system is a celebration of individual achievements and contributions to British society, with recipients selected for their exceptional work in various fields.
Returning Honours
However, not everyone has been eager to receive these honours. Some high-profile names have handed back their honours or rejected them outright, citing reasons ranging from modesty to the honours system’s association with the British Empire. For example, Scottish actor Alan Cumming handed back his Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) Honour in January 2023, citing his "misgivings" with being associated with the "toxicity" of the British Empire. Similarly, Welsh actor Michael Sheen returned his OBE in 2017, stating that he wanted to air his views about the monarchy without being a "hypocrite".
Refusing Honours
Other notable individuals have refused honours, including Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, who turned down OBEs in 2001, citing that they hadn’t done anything to deserve them. David Bowie also refused honours on two occasions, stating that it was "not what I spent my life working for". George Harrison, John Lennon, and Roald Dahl also refused honours, with Harrison’s reason unknown, Lennon citing protest over British foreign policy, and Dahl reportedly holding out for a knighthood.
Honours Being Taken Away
Honours can be withdrawn or forfeited due to various reasons, including criminal conviction, bringing the honours system into disrepute, or other reasons. For example, Paula Vennells, the former Post Office head, had her CBE stripped for "bringing the honours system into disrepute" following the Horizon IT scandal. Jimmy Saville would have been stripped of his knighthood had he been convicted in his lifetime, and Rolf Harris was stripped of his CBE in 2015 after being convicted of indecent assault. Other notable examples include Harvey Weinstein, who had his honorary CBE revoked after being convicted of rape and sexual assault, and Stuart Hall, who had his OBE revoked after being convicted of child sex offences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the New Year Honours 2026 list recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions to British society, but not everyone has been eager to receive these honours. Some individuals have returned or refused honours due to various reasons, while others have had their honours withdrawn or forfeited due to criminal conviction or bringing the honours system into disrepute. The honours system is a complex and nuanced institution, and its recipients and refusals reflect the diverse range of opinions and values within British society.
