The ex-wife of actor, Colin Firth, Livia Giuggioli Firth, recently took to her Instagram account to announce to the world that she is returning her MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire). She has taken a similar stance to protest Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK, which she has termed a ‘cowardly display’ by the UK’s Royal family during Trump’s last visit to Britain. Her act has now raised questions related to the monarchy system, state honours, and also about the intersection of activism with symbolic representations.
For the uninitiated, Livia is a sustainable fashion campaigner, in addition to being the ex-wife of Colin. She tore her respected MBE and called Trump’s visit to the UK ‘poisonous rhetoric’. Livia has been called the ‘queen of the green carpet’ and became a recipient of the award in 2019 for her contribution towards sustainable fashion.
Livia Giuggioli Firth shows off her medal, which she plans to return
Livia made an Instagram clip where she was seen tearing off her paper certificate and also showcased her medal. For the uninitiated, Livia was married to Colin for 22 years before they split in 2019 and finalised their divorce in 2021. She shared that it was in 2019 that she was given the MBE honour for her services in trying to make the fashion supply chain a more just and less deadly place to work for garment workers worldwide.