JNO...I agree that not many of us knew about Harris, but Savile and Smith abused children for years and years....long before they received their gongs.
In the case of Savile, it is inconceivable that the powers to be were unaware of his crimes, as he now referred as Britain's most prolific sex offender.
Actually, the Queen has no say whatsoever in these things. By the way, it was Lord Steel, David Steel as was, that nominated Smith. Perhaps Steel should have listened to all the rumours that were thick on the ground about the gross amount of Smiths paedophile activities first. If he was unsure, he could always have contacted MI5, After all, they interfered and stymied Police investigation into Smith, long before any awards were made.