Dame Meera Syal has spoken about the complex feelings she experienced when she was awarded an MBE in 1997, reflecting on the honour’s connections to the British Empire. The actress and comedian, whose parents are of Indian Punjabi descent, described the decision to accept the award as “conflicting,” given her family history and the traumatic legacy of colonialism.

In an appearance on Woman’s Hour, Dame Meera recounted how her father, at age 13, lived in a refugee camp in Lahore after fleeing his home during the Partition of India in 1947—a period she linked directly to the impact of British imperial rule. She said that receiving an honour bearing the word “Empire” felt contradictory against this backdrop. Nevertheless, it was her parents’ encouragement that ultimately led her to accept the MBE. They viewed the award as a form of recognition for the hardships they endured as immigrants and a symbol of progress for subsequent generations in the UK.

Dame Meera suggested that the award might be better described as the “Empire Strikes Back Medal,” reflecting a narrative of reclaiming agency and overcoming the historical injustices associated with colonialism. “It was quite a conflicting decision,” she remarked, noting the personal significance of the year she accepted the honour—which coincided with a poignant visit she made with her father to his former home in Lahore.

Since then, Dame Meera’s recognition from the British honors system has grown. She was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2015, and most recently received a damehood in the King’s New Year Honours. Her ambivalence echoes that of other public figures who have declined or critiqued honors tied to the British Empire.

Poet Benjamin Zephaniah, whose family heritage traces back to Barbados and Jamaica, famously rejected an OBE in 2003, citing its associations with slavery and colonial brutality. Similarly, public figures such as TV chef Nigella Lawson, actor John Cleese, author Roald Dahl, and musician David Bowie have all at various times declined honors, often referencing concerns about the political and cultural implications of the titles.

Dame Meera’s reflections highlight the ongoing debate about the relevance and symbolism of imperial-linked honors in contemporary Britain, especially among individuals with personal or familial connections to former colonies.