Livia Firth, formerly married to actor Colin Firth, has sensationally returned her Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) and publicly ripped up the accompanying certificate. Her drastic action serves as a direct protest against what she perceives as Britain's "appeasement" of US president Donald Trump during his recent state visit to the UK.

In a detailed statement, Firth, who received the MBE in 2019 for her significant contributions to the fashion industry, announced her decision. She explained that she had deeply "reflected" on Trump's visit, particularly finding it impossible to "reconcile the way he was appeased and honoured and legitimised" by the UK government and monarchy. During this visit, Trump engaged with senior royals, including King Charles, Prince William, and Katherine, the Princess of Wales.

Firth clarified her initial acceptance of the honour despite her stance against the British Empire and its "toxic system." She stated, "I accepted the honour on behalf of the many garment worker activists who had educated and supported me." She also expressed profound respect for King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, recognizing his long-standing commitment to social and environmental justice. However, her recent observations of Trump at the UN General Assembly and his subsequent UK visit solidified her conviction that the UK's actions contradicted these very values.

Describing Trump as a "horrible excuse of a human," Firth criticized the amplification and legitimization of his "poisonous rhetoric." She lamented that last week’s display showed her "nothing of those values I thought King Charles upheld - or its spirit." Instead, she witnessed "a frightening and cowardly display of appeasing someone who stands for the obliteration of the natural world and the most vulnerable people."

Her protest culminated in a bold video where she ceremonially tore up her certificate, declaring, "Because I can’t reconcile those two positions, I have shredded my honour and I am returning it to sender." She urged others who share her sentiment, stating, "I know so many honourable, decent British people who will be unable to reconcile their deeply held values of fairness and justice with the grotesque pantomime we witnessed. I think it’s only by taking a stand that we can make our feelings known."

Details of Trump's UK visit highlighted the extent of his reception. He was granted a military guard welcome and a horse-drawn carriage ride at Windsor Castle. The itinerary also included a specially arranged exhibition of historical artifacts related to the United States and a guided tour of the Churchill archive at Chequers. Number 10 Downing Street even revealed the menu for the leaders' feast: "British favourite Dover Sole, served with peas and potatoes for the main and the American classic key lime pie for dessert."