Cleese had previously turned down a CBE in 1996, stating “I think they’re silly.” However Cleese declined the honour, and the bonus title of “Baron”, telling the Sunday Telegraph in 2011 “I realised this would involve being in England in the winter and I thought that was too much of a price to pay.”

In 1999 comedy legend Cleese was offered a Life Peerage, and a seat in the House Of Lords, for his services to The Liberal Democrats. Here’s some rather more reluctant movie stars, and their reasons for snubbing a Royal honour.

Mark Rylance, Naomie Harris, and Patricia Routledge are the big names from the world of acting to receive recognition in the 2017 New Years Honours.īut many actors and directors are not so happy about royal recognition.