andymac, it's not an "imperial award" - it's an award which happens to have a load of imperial and anachronistic baggage attached to it. This whole "honours" scheme is gravely imperfect, but it's all we in the UK have. Had Roy chosen to decline the award then I'd have respected and supported his decision. As it is, I'm DELIGHTED to see MY country honouring one of our outstanding and honourable citizens in the only way we, as a nation, happen to have.G.