The Légion d’honneur, France’s highest distinction established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, is facing a growing wave of refusals from notable figures, raising questions about the award’s contemporary prestige. The latest celebrity to decline the decoration is actress Rachida Brakni, who was named on the annual Bastille Day list but announced her decision to “politely” refuse the honour.
Brakni, known for her role in the political drama series Baron Noir and her activism on issues such as homelessness and the Palestinian cause, explained her refusal on social media, emphasizing that “honour is a precious moral duty” she upholds through her daily work and personal choices. Her stance received support from peers including singer-songwriter Benjamin Biolay and actor Guillaume de Tonquédec. However, the conservative newspaper Le Figaro criticized her reasoning as unclear.
Officials confirmed that recipients have the right to reject the Légion d’honneur. Although Brakni’s name remains on the official government decree, failure to attend the conferment ceremony means she will not be formally inducted into the order. Historically, few refuse the honour, but there are precedents, such as Brigitte Bardot in 1985, who declined the award in solidarity with animals, and actress Sophie Marceau, who in 2023 announced a refusal despite not actually being nominated.
The award, initially intended for “soldiers and scholars,” has evolved to recognise a broad spectrum of professions, including teachers, doctors, police officers, and artisans. It serves to acknowledge outstanding merit and civic engagement that benefits the nation. Approximately one million individuals have been honoured since its inception, with about 77,000 still living recipients. Each year, roughly 2,200 new awards are made, including around 300 to foreigners who have contributed to causes aligned with French interests.
Foreign recipients often include heads of state and government as part of diplomatic courtesies, a practice that has sometimes attracted criticism given the contentious histories of some honorees. Past recipients include Benito Mussolini, Francisco Franco, Nicolae Ceausescu, Manuel Noriega, Vladimir Putin, and Bashar al-Assad. Adverse conduct among members can lead to disciplinary actions, including revocation of the award, as was indicated in the case of former President Nicolas Sarkozy following his 2023 corruption conviction.
In contrast to these refusals, French President Emmanuel Macron successfully presented the Légion d’honneur to Britain’s Sir Keir Starmer during the Bastille Day celebrations, marking the first time a sitting British prime minister received the decoration. Macron praised Starmer for his leadership and decency, underscoring the continued diplomatic significance of the award despite the recent controversies.