Lewis declined an honour proposed by Churchill's office
In 1951, the author of Narnia turned down a CBE to avoid his religious writings being mistaken for party-political advocacy.
In December 1951, Winston Churchill's office offered to recommend C. S. Lewis for a CBE, the rank of Commander of the Order of the British Empire. The author of Narnia declined. Yet his reply does not suggest that he disliked the distinction: he acknowledged that, personally, he would find it very pleasing.
In his letter of December 14 to the Prime Minister's secretary, Lewis explained his concern. Some people already portrayed his religious writings as political propaganda directed against the Left. Appearing on an honours list under a Conservative government would, he thought, strengthen that accusation. He therefore preferred not to appear, while expressing his gratitude.
That detail matters. Lewis was not saying that honours were bad, or that he held no political convictions. He gave a specific reason for this particular refusal: protecting how his religious writings were received. This is the motive he set out in that letter, not an explanation that should automatically be extended to every part of his life.