British Actors who rejected the Queen's Honors (DIGITAL SPY)

British actor Alan Rickman rejected a CBE from the Queen.

 Alfred Hitchcock rejected a CBE in 1962 but accepted a knighthood from the Queen shortly before his death in 1980.

David Bowie reportedly rejected a CBE in 2000, explaining simply: "I seriously don't know what it's for."

 .John Lennon returned his MBE 1969, along with a letter to Her Majesty which read: "I am returning this in protest against Britain's involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam 

BAFTA-winning comedy duo Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French rejected an OBE back in 2001.

Skyfall actor Albert Finney turned down a CBE in 1980 and rejected a knighthood in 2000.

According to official government records, Oscar-winning actress Vanessa Redgrave also rejected an honour from the Queen.

Actor Bill Nighy reportedly declined the British Honour of CBE.

READ MORE: http://www.digitalspy.com/celebrity/i515184-8/stars-rejecting-the-queens-honours-bill-nighy.html

Kenneth Branagh Honoured By The Queen: Thats SIR Kenneth Now 11 November 2012 (CONTACT MUSIC)

Kenneth Branagh was honoured by the Queen at Buckingham Palace earlier this week, receiving his knighthood from the royal following his awarding of the title during her birthday honours list in June this year.

The actor, director and writer, who also had a starring role in Danny Boyle's opening ceremony for this years Olympics, taking on the role of famed Victorian industrialist Isambard Kingdom Brunel, received his honour from the Queen, saying after to the BBC that he felt "humble, elated and incredibly lucky" to be bestowed with such an honour.

Known best for his Shakespearean roles, most notably Henry V, as well as his role on television as the Swedish detective Wallander on the BBC of the same name, Branagh was recognised for his ongoing services to drama, which have spanned more than three decades already.


READ MORE: http://www.contactmusic.com/news/kenneth-branagh-honoured-by-the-queen-thats-sir-kenneth-now_3367423

Kenneth Branagh: ‘Don’t call me sir’ (SCOUTLONDON.COM)

He may have been one of the stars of Friday’s Olympic Opening ceremony, but that’s not the only regal highlight Kenneth Branagh’s recently had – having been knighted in the Queen’s 2012 Birthday Honours list last month.

“The response has been overwhelming from people I haven’t seen for a trillion years: old school friends, people from all over the world. I’ve been touched,” says the Belfast-born actor.

Branagh, 51, turned down a CBE in 1994, but there was no such hesitation over the knighthood. In fact, he said his heart was “fit to burst” when he first heard.

His recent work before Danny Boyle’s incredible piece, however, has been somewhat bleak. He has been playing troubled detective Wallander (based on the books by Swedish author Henning Mankell); a man of few words but many emotions, who Branagh brings to life with a stripped-back performance that has earned him great praise.

READ MORE: http://www.scoutlondon.com/2012/07/30/kenneth-branagh-dont-call-me-sir/

Sir Ken's Swede success: Despite being the star of hit TV detective series Wallander, just-knighted Kenneth Branagh insists he's still plain Ken By RICHARD BARBER PUBLISHED: 18:00 EST, 28 June 2012 | UPDATED: 16:31 EST, 29 June 2012 (MAIL ON LINE)

You have to wonder what the dour Swedish TV detective Kurt Wallander would make of it all. A knighthood for Kenneth Branagh?

The very thought of the honour, which was announced earlier this month, is enough to bring on one of Wallander’s deep, brooding pauses.

He’d settle back in his iconic leather chair and stare into the Baltic sunset while the machinery of his mind – as trusty and as plodding as his Volvo – cranked into action and analysed every possible permutation of response.


Branagh, 51, who has played Wallander for four years, thinks he knows precisely what his alter ego’s reaction would be. His face lights up in a distinctly un-Wallanderish smile. ‘Of course, the Swedes have a royal family of their own,’ he says, ‘but Kurt’s pretty much a dyed-in-the-wool republican, so I don’t think he’d have any truck with titles.’


The reaction of the author of the best-selling Wallander stories, the avowedly left-wing Henning Mankell, is much the same as his creation’s would be, says Branagh. ‘But he’s got a terrific sense of humour so he’s been very funny about it, which is exactly what I’d have expected. He’s been ribbing me about it ever since the news came out. Fair game, as far as I’m concerned.’

Mankell, 64, chooses his words as carefully as Wallander would. ‘The Swedish people are very happy for him,’ he says diplomatically. ‘Their view seems to be, “You may beat us at soccer but we’re partly responsible for Branagh’s knighthood.” He’s very well liked and they approve of the way he plays Wallander.’





Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2166409/Sir-Kens-Swede-success-Despite-star-hit-TV-detective-series-Wallander-just-knighted-Kenneth-Branagh-insists-hes-plain-Ken.html#ixzz1zEjcH2ny

Sir Kenneth Branagh reveals why he is ready to graciously accept his knighthood By LIZ THOMAS (MAIL ON LINE)

Humbled: Kenneth and his wife, pictured last week at the Cartier Polo

Sir Kenneth Branagh has revealed age and experience are behind his decisions to embrace his Knighthood after declining his CBE.

The actor declined the Commander of the British Empire honour in 1994 when he was in his mid-thirties.

This week the 51-year-old was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, and he admitted he now felt it would be churlish to turn down one of the highest accolades in British society.

He said: ‘I was genuinely shocked when I got it. I didn’t know what it was all about. I had to consider it. I rejected the CBE.

'But at this stage in my life, my practise is, if people are kind enough to acknowledge what you do it seems polite not to say, “Thank you very much”.

‘The business I am in, we are very lucky. At the end of every stage performance the audience all applaud me for doing my job, but I have friends who work in offices who don’t get that.

Sir Kenneth added that he had been sworn to secrecy and had only told his wife, Lindsay, and admitted he even worried his response had got lost in the post.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2163452/Sir-Kenneth-Branagh-reveals-ready-graciously-accept-knighthood.html#ixzz1ycTcfE5F