Why did Roald Dahl turn down an OBE?

Beloved children's novelist Roald Dahl turned down an OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in 1986, primarily because he wanted a knighthood (KBE), which would elevate his status to “Sir” and his wife to “Lady Dahl”.
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Who has declined an OBE?

Jon Snow. Having declined an OBE in 2000, Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow went on to make a documentary in 2002 entitled 'Secrets of the Honours System'. He remains critical of the use of 'Empire' in our honours system.
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Why did French and Saunders refuse their OBE?

Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders

The comedy duo refused OBEs in 2001, with Saunders saying: "If I felt I deserved a damehood I'd accept it. "At the time, we felt that we were being paid very well to have a lot of fun. It didn't seem right somehow. "We didn't deserve a pat on the back.
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What does an OBE entitle you to?

What does an OBE entitle you to? The OBE does not bestow any special legal entitlement or power. Recipients are entitled to put the letters OBE after their name and enjoy the prestige and possible raised profile this brings.
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Is an OBE higher than an MBE?

Like a CBE, an OBE is an order of the British Empire award. It is the second highest ranking Order of the British Empire award, behind CBE but ahead of MBE. It stands for Officer of the Order of the British Empire (as opposed to Commander for a CBE and Member for an MBE).
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What Is MBE? British Royal Title Awards: Companion of Honour, Knight or Dame, CBE, OBE, MBE



Do you call someone with an OBE Sir?

While a CBE, OBE and MBE are some of the top ranking honours, only the top two ranks can use the title "Sir" or "Dame". People awarded a GBE, KBE or DBE can use these titles.
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Does a CBE make you a Sir?

What is a Knighthood or Damehood? While the CBE is the third-highest of the order's five ranks, only the top two can use the title Sir (for a man) or Dame (for a woman). The second-highest rank is a KBE or DBE - a Knight or Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
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When can I wear my OBE?

Most awards allow the holder to place post nominal letters after their surname, for example 'KCMG', 'DCMG', 'CMG', 'CBE', 'OBE', 'MBE', 'BEM', 'QPM', 'QFSM' and 'QAM'. These can be used immediately following the announcement.
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Who refused honours?

David Bowie. The late great David Bowie actually turned down two honours. He refused to accept a CBE in 2000 and three years later turned down a knighthood. He said: “I would never have any intention of accepting anything like that.
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Can non british be knighted?

Can non-British citizens get knighted? Yes, but it has its own rules. Notable non-Brits are only eligible for something called “honorary knighthoods”, which allows them to use the post-nominal letters -such as KBE or DBE- but not the tiles of Sir or Dame.
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Why did nigella turn down OBE?

Nigella Lawson

Naturally, as a bastion of British culture, Nigella was offered an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 2001, but turned it down seemingly out of sheer modesty.
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Why did Dawn French turn down an OBE?

French and Saunders

Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders pairing turned down OBEs "for services to comedy drama" in 2001. It was only later they explained. Saunders said: “If I felt I deserved a Damehood I'd accept it,” she told Source magazine. “At the time, we felt that we were being paid very well to have a lot of fun.
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Who is the youngest knighted person?

The youngest person to receive a knighthood or damehood in modern times was the sailor Dame Ellen MacArthur, who was 28 when she was honoured. The youngest knight in history was Prince George, the future George IV, who was aged three when he was made a knight of the garter in 1765.
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Why did David Bowie turn down a knighthood?

1. David Bowie. David Bowie turned down two awards in fact: a CBE in 2000 and then a knighthood in 2003. "I would never have any intention of accepting anything like that," he told the Sun in 2003, the same year in which Mick Jagger was given his knighthood.
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Did all the Beatles get knighted?

Starr, who is one of two remaining members of the Beatles, was beat to the knighthood punch by bandmate Paul McCartney, who received the title “Sir” in 1997. They are the only two Beatles to be knighted; George Harrison and John Lennon passed away in 2001 and 1980, respectively.
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Can a knighthood be revoked after death?

Despite there being no procedure to posthumously revoke an OBE or knighthood because honours automatically expire when a person dies, the committee said they would consider introducing one due to the severity of his crimes.
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How many OBE are there in the UK?

The order is limited to 300 Knights and Dames Grand Cross, 845 Knights and Dames Commander, and 8,960 Commanders. There are no limits applied to the total number of members of the fourth and fifth classes, but no more than 858 Officers and 1,464 Members may be appointed per year.
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Are Ant and Dec MBE?

Geordie duo Ant and Dec have been appointed OBE by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace. The presenters received the honour for their services to broadcasting and entertainment. The pair, who have fronted shows such as Britain's Got Talent and I'm A Celebrity...
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Does a knighthood come with money?

But whatever the case- to sum up, being knighted by the Queen disappointingly does not come with a fiefdom and peasants to work the land, nor any such tangible award- not even a badass custom forged sword, though we know of at least one case where an individual knighted, British author Sir Terry Pratchett, went ahead ...
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Can I wear my dad's medals?

When is OK to wear my relatives medals ? War medals and service decorations of any sort may be worn only by the person upon whom they were conferred, and in no case does the right to wear war or service medals, or their ribbons, pass to any relative when the recipient is dead.
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Can you wear an OBE medal?

It should be noted that official decorations, medals or emblems should only be worn if you are entitled to and have been approved for acceptance and wear. Unofficial medals should not be worn with official orders, decorations and medals.
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What does black tie with miniatures mean?

Miniatures and Full Sized

Miniature medals can be worn with evening dress, such as mess dress, and for black tie events. There are exceptions to the rule where there may be neck-worn awards as well as other forms of decorations, however these types of awards are rare.
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Can you be knighted twice?

Sir David Attenborough Receives Second Knighthood from Prince Charles. The Prince of Wales awarded the 96-year-old naturalist with the prestigious Knight Grand Cross at Windsor Castle today. Attenborough received his first knighthood from Queen Elizabeth in 1985. Sir David Attenborough was knighted—again!
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Can Australians be knighted?

The Knight/Dame of the Order of Australia is no longer offered. From 1976 to 1986 and 2014 to 2015 there was provision for the appointment of Knights and Dames in the Order of Australia.
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How many OBE are awarded each year?

HOW MANY PEOPLE A YEAR RECEIVE AN OBE? Around five hundred people in total receive an OBE every year and around 2,200 people in total receive a Queen's honour. OBE awards are given out twice a year - in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in mid-June and in the New Year's Honours List on the 1st January.
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