Honours - Get Rid of Them or Make them Relevant

I could spend time researching the Honours System, but to be honest I can't be bothered to waste my time.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orders,_decorations,_and_medals_of_the_United_Kingdom

Honours go back to the Normans - 1066 & all that. So my first question is how relevant to the 21st century is that? The whole system is an anachronistic dinosaur. It's all done behind closed doors. Give enough money & you can virtually buy one - A lot of recipients are political. The criteria isn't transparent & thousands of people who actually deserve one don't get one. What's to like?

Queenie, or a lesser royal, taps someone on the shoulder with a sword!  Do we really want any more Knights, Dames or members of the British Empire Orders? Aren't there enough members of the Aristocracy, or people at the top of the hierarchy, which is still rampant in Britain today?

As a friend of mine says - "I don't understand why sports stars and other so-called celebrities are getting all these New Year's honours. They have got success in their chosen field and all the admiration and money they need. Surely we should be honouring those who quietly get on with jobs that improve other people's lives and make the world a better place and those who make real, personal sacrifices".

Couldn't put it better myself.

What possible justification is there for this antiquated system to continue in it's present form? Lets be truly democratic & see what public opinion says - Do we the people want Honours at all - If so what sort of Honours exactly - What are the critreria for awarding them - Who should make the decision? Should people get them for just doing their job well, whatever that is? Shouldn't our expectation be that we all do our chosen employment , which we are paid for, well?

It's about time the whole thing was taken out of the hands of the politicians & those with power. It's also about time the whole thing was far more transparent & recognised the huge contribution of the silent masses who don't grab the headlines, but do make a our society continue to function.

We need a completely new system. This one is well past it's sell by date. If I'm honest it makes me angry & despairing in equal measure.