Bond stars among those who have turned down honours from Buckingham Palace

25-Dec-2003 • Bond News

The Sunday Times (UK) has uncovered a list of stars and celebirites from all walks of life who have turned down awards from Buckingham Palace and Downing Street over the last 40 years. The documents include the names of scores of famous people who have privately declined honours offered by prime ministers on behalf of the Queen since the second world war.

The secret documents reveal that amongst the 300 people who have refused a CBE, OBE, MBE or Knighthood - are some famous names from the Bond series.

James Bond leading lady Honor Blackman who played Pussy Galore in "Goldfinger" (1964) turned down an honour under a Tony Blair government.

Whilst under the Conservative government of John Major, comedian John "Q" Cleese rejected a CBE "for services to entertainment".

"You Only Live Twice" screenplay writer Roald Dahl also turned down his offer of an honour.

Everyone who is offered an honour is sworn to secrecy and to date only a handful of those who have refused have gone public to explain their position.

But some people are happy to accept their awards.

Earlier in 2003, Roger Moore received his Knighthood for his UNICEF charity work from HRH Queen Elizabeth II.

Sir Roger said the palace ceremony gave him "the worst attack of stage fright in my life". "I was worrying about whether I was going to get up again after kneeling," the 75-year-old actor joked.

Current 007 Pierce Brosnan received an honourary OBE (Order of the British Empire) in July 2003.

Brosnan said: "I never expected this or dreamt of it. I hope I can carry on doing good things with it. I am bowled over really" after the medal was presented by Britain`s ambassador to Ireland, Stewart Eldon.

Thanks to Allen for the alert.