It seems like Harvey Weinstein's lost it all, but it's not really over until Queen Elizabeth says so.
The monarch made a surprising move when her team announced Friday that the disgraced producer's honorary British title be stripped from him. The news has been published in The Gazette's official public record.
Harvey received the Honorary Commander of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in January 2004. The award is given for significant contribution in any area a monarch seems fit.
Harvey received the honor after he and brother Bob's company, Miramax, produced 1998's Shakespeare In Love. Aside from being widely loved, the film also had royal connections. It received seven Oscars, including Best Supporting Actress for Dame Judi Dench for playing Queen Elizabeth I.
The UK Cabinet Office has confirmed to Variety that the knighthood will be canceled and annulled. His name will be erased from the Register. Harvey isn't the first person to have the honor stripped. He is arguably one of the most significant in recent history, however.
It's intriguing to imagine how the 68-year-old is taking the news. He's currently serving 23 years in a New York state prison for rape and sexual assault. He faces additional charges on the West Coast.
An announcement from St. James's Palace on Friday came as a surprise to many. The Gazette official public record shared an announcement of several honorary CBE titles that the Queen was ordering be annulled and canceled. The first name on that list belonged to none other than Harvey Weinstein.
"The Queen has directed that the appointment of Harvey Weinstein to be an Honorary Commander of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, dated 29 January 2004, shall be cancelled and annulled and that his name shall be erased from the Register of the said Order," the statement reads.
The decision was made at a recent meeting of the Honours Forfeiture Committee. Many had speculated this would happen, but changed their minds when it didn't happen sooner after Harvey's February conviction for rape and sexual assault.
The award is conferred by the British monarch to those who have made a "distinguished, innovative contribution to any area." Harvey received the honor in 2004, after his and brother Bob Weinstein's production company, Miramax, produced 1998's Shakespeare in Love.
The film received rave reviews and countless awards, including seven Oscars. One of those was for Best Supporting Actress for Dame Judi Dench, who played Queen Elizabeth I.
The UK government has expectations for those bestowed with the CBE. Government guidance suggests they are "expected to be, and remain, good citizens and role models."
There are a number of reasons why the honor can be revoked.
"This might include being found guilty of a criminal offense, behavior which results in censure by a regulatory or a professional body, or any other behavior that is deemed to bring the honors system into disrepute," the regulations governing the honors state.
Related to criminal offenses, the Forfeiture Committee can revoke the honor when the honoree has been found guilty of one and sentenced to more than three months in jail.
Harvey first faced allegations of rape and other sexual abuse in October 2017, when a New York Times exposé saw several women come forward with claims against him.
Harvey was convicted in a New York court of two crimes. One was the third-degree rape of Jessica Mann, a former aspiring actress. The second was a count of a criminal sexual act in the first degree against former Project Runway production assistant Mimi Haley.
Harvey's public reckoning feels like it's been a long time coming, but it's really only just begun. In March, he was sentenced to 23 years for the crimes he was convicted of. He also faces additional charges in Los Angeles, but has not been extradited for legal proceedings due to the health crisis.
Harvey is one of nine people to have the honor revoked in the announcement. Another, teacher David Watkin Bundock, is serving 27 months in jail for possession of child pornography and indecent communications with children. Also included was former charity head Patrick McLarry, who was convicted of fraud.
While there's a feeling of relief that Harvey's title has been stripped, some have been critical of how long that process has taken. Following the release of the accusations in 2017, the British Film Institute (BFI) rescinded a fellowship he was awarded in 2002. Other organizations have also denounced the disgraced film magnate.
Many individuals lobbied the government to remove the title, but the process of decision-making for the titles is independent of the government.
It's been speculated that the decision would have come quicker if not for the health crisis. Some feel that if that's the case, it's a poor excuse. In the past three years, over 80 women have come forward with accusations against Harvey. The workings of the Forfeiture committee are private, so it's hard to understand what happened there. Regardless, many are relieved that this denouncement is finally official.
