The Queen presents her list of honourees twice every year, acknowledging the public service of the most prominent British and Commonwealth citizens in a variety of fields, including entertainment, industry and government.
But not everyone holds the accolade in high regard, and more than 250 people – including sculptor Henry Moore, painter Francis Bacon and Brideshead Revisted author Evelyn Waugh – have snubbed the opportunity to be recognised by the monarch, according to newly-released government documents.
Psycho filmmaker Hitchcock turned down an award in 1962, although he later relented and accepted a knighthood prior to his death in 1980.
Members of the British government were forced to publish the documents on Thursday (26Jan12) under the Freedom Of Information Act.
