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Colossal_hands t1_j2d1m5w wrote

I would refuse to be knighted. Why should somebody that has actually achieved so much in their life care for the validation of a bunch of nepotist nonce protectors

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motorised_rollingham t1_j2d9iya wrote

You know it’s not the King who chooses who to knight? The honour is given by the people of the UK (represented by the Honours Commitee).

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I_Think_I_Cant t1_j2e7it6 wrote

They give you a castle, some serfs, a suit of armour, a horse, and a lance. Sounds pretty cool to me.

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atomic1fire t1_j2eomvi wrote

I assume because it's recognition of how important your work actually is.

I don't think Americans can accept these titles, but I assume it's something like getting a nobel prize. What you do might be more important then the award, but the prize is just a feather on the cap for how important that work may be.

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Milly_man t1_j2d2htp wrote

I know right? Why don't more people reject these awards?

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StephenHunterUK OP t1_j2dbta1 wrote

Quite a few musicians do - Bowie turned down a CBE and a knighthood. Lennon returned his MBE, but legally the honour remained his until his death in 1980.

Some hold out for higher gongs, some find the concept a bit silly, others don't like being in the Order of the British Empire.

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MattBD t1_j2dij53 wrote

There's a list of people who turned down various honours on Wikipedia and I think they're much better company to be in than those who accepted.

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