Here is the 'official' reasons for the awards*
Queen's New Year honours*Socialvoices on MSN News UK
"Strange how all these raging republicans are quite happy to be associated with Royalty when one is placing ribbons round their necks. Sometimes would rather put something else around their necks but the ceremonial noose is up in the attic somewhere along with hundreds of placemats and Andrew's model helicopter collection."
*(Not actually factual)