The Beatles receive their MBEs

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In June 1965, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr were informed that they had been appointed Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), following a nomination by Prime Minister Harold Wilson and approval by Queen Elizabeth II.

On this day, The Beatles took a break from recording their new album “Rubber Soul” to attend an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, where they received their MBEs from the Queen. They arrived at 11 a.m. in John Lennon’s Rolls-Royce, greeted by a crowd of around 4,000 fans. They received their medals at 11:47 a.m. After the ceremony, they left for a press conference at the Saville Theatre.

In 1967, The Beatles were pictured wearing their MBE medals on the sleeve of the “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album cover.

In November 1969, John returned his MBE to Buckingham Palace, citing “Britain’s involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam, and against ‘Cold Turkey’ slipping down the charts.” The gesture had no legal effect on his honour, as an MBE may be renounced by its recipient but can only be formally annulled by the Sovereign.

Paul would meet Queen Elizabeth II again in December 1982, when he attended an event titled “An Evening for Conservation“.

The MBE is the lowest rank within the Order of the British Empire. Paul was elevated to Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) in March 1997.

In 2000, George declined an offer to be appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). Journalist Ray Connolly, a friend of The Beatles, later explained that George felt hurt by the decision, coming after Paul’s knighthood. Connolly said: “Whoever it was who decided to offer him the OBE and not the knighthood was extraordinarily insensitive. George would have felt insulted – and with very good reason.“

In 2017, Paul was appointed a Companion of Honour by Queen Elizabeth II.

In 2018, Ringo was also knighted, becoming a Knight Bachelor.

Some equerry to the Queen, a Guards officer, took us to one side and showed us what we had to do: ‘Approach Her Majesty like this and never turn your back on her, and don’t talk to her unless she talks to you.’ All of those things. For four Liverpool lads it was, ‘Wow, hey man!’ It was quite funny. But she was sweet. I think she seemed a bit mumsy to us because we were young boys and she was a bit older.

Paul McCartney – From The Beatles Anthology Book, 2002

Looking back I am honoured and amazed to see that I met Her Majesty eight or nine times and each time she impressed me with her great sense of humour combined with great dignity. These times were: 

Firstly, when The Beatles got the MBE on 26th October 1965. I remember us being taken aside and shown what the correct protocol was. We were told how to approach Her Majesty and not to talk to her unless she talks to us. For four Liverpool lads, it was, “Wow, hey man.” […]

Paul McCartney – From paulmccartney.com, September 8, 2022

To start with, we wanted to laugh. But when it happens to you, when you are being decorated, you don’t laugh any more. We, however, were giggling like crazy because we had just smoked a joint in the loos of Buckingham Palace; we were so nervous. We had nothing to say. The Queen was planted on a big thing. She said something like ‘ooh, ah, blah, blah’ we didn’t quite understand. She’s much nicer than she is in the photos.

John Lennon, 1970 – From The Beatles Anthology Book, 2002

Is it true The Beatles smoked dope in the toilets of Buckingham Palace when collecting their MBEs?

I know John said that we had but, actually, I don’t remember that happening, I might have smoked ciggies in the bog but I wasn’t smoking anything stronger. That’s not to say that someone might have. One of us might have had the nerve to do it. But not me. I was always a bit cautious when it came to drugs.

Paul McCartney – Interview with MOJO, July 2004

We never smoked marijuana at the investiture. What happened was we were waiting to go through, standing in an enormous line with hundreds of people, and we were so nervous that we went to the toilet. And in there we smoked a cigarette – we were all smokers in those days.

Years later, I’m sure John was thinking back and remembering, ‘Oh yes, we went in the toilet and smoked,’ and it turned into a reefer. Because what could be the worst thing you could do before you meet the Queen? Smoke a reefer! But we never did.

George Harrison – From The Beatles Anthology Book, 2002

DATE AT THE PALACE FOR THE BEATLES

THE Beatles will meet the Queen for the first time when they go to Buckingham Palace for the investiture of their MBE’s on October 26. But they will NOT wear morning dress. Until yesterday they thought they would have to. Then their manager Brian Epstein found out that it was not a “must.”

“That’s a relief,” said John Lennon. “We would never have found top hats to fit over our mops, anyway.”

Said George Harrison: “It’s going to be a dark suit for me. I was dreading the thought of climbing into one of those antiquated rig-outs.”

Said Ringo Starr: “I didn’t really mind so much about the morning dress… But I’m glad to hear we can go as we are.”

And Paul McCartney was very relieved about the news. “Now we can wear something more comfortable,” he said.

The Beatles were excited about meeting the Queen. Ringo said: “I think we have met all the other members of the Royal Family. It will be a great honour.”

George added: “We’re not worried by the formalities.”

From Daily Mirror – September 29, 1965

RINGO GETS A HAIRCUT FOR THE QUEEN

THE chances are that several thousand teenagers will be rattling the gates and railings outside Buckingham Palace tomorrow morning. Not for the Queen. Not for Prince Philip. Not for any of the royal children. But for the Beatles. For tomorrow is the day when John, Paul, George and Ringo go to the Palace to be invested with the MBEs, they were awarded in the Queen’s Birthday Honours last June. And undoubtedly the boys’ fans will be there to see them arrive and leave. The Queen has not yet met the Beatles face to face. But when the massed fans begin their clamour at her front gates she will know the moment is near.

Something she may NOT know is that the occasion will be the most nerve-racking in the Beatles’ entire star-studded career. They would rather face an audience at, say, the London Palladium.

If you are among the fans at the gates tomorrow, don’t expect to see the boys in the traditional toppers and tails of Palace investitures. That isn’t their kind of gear. As John Lennon said: “Where could you find a topper to fit over our mops?”

So the boys have settled for dark lounge suits. John said yesterday: “I’d better send mine off to the two-hour cleaners. Otherwise I’ll never get it back in time.”

George Harrison said: “If you want a detailed description of my suit, it is dark blue, with a label inside saying ‘Another Beatles original.’”

Ringo Starr revealed that he would have his hair cut for the investiture. He added: “Everyone keeps reminding me about it, so it must be important.”

And Paul McCartney said: “It’s funny, but we’ve never been booked for the Palace before, although we must have played at almost every other palais there is.”

One problem will be to get the Beatles to the Palace on time. They rarely get out of bed before noon. “But,” said Paul, “we’ll make a special effort for the Queen.”

The Beatles will set out for the Palace at 9.50 a.m. from Brian Epstein’s flat in Westminster. Whatever hysteria greets them outside the Palace, they can be sure of one thing. At the investiture in the Palace’s vast cream and gold ballroom all will be serenity.

A string band of the Coldstream Guards will play light background music for the occasion. The music will NOT be square. Music at Buckingham Palace is never that. In fact, the Changing of the Guard there can be really hip these days. The Guards’ bands are said often to burst into the Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love” or “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” The Irish Guards are described as “dab hands” at Beatle music. Of this, George Harrison said: “Really?” Then, thoughtfully: “Do they play requests?”

At the investiture, the band might just break into a Lennon-McCartney song or two as the Beatles collect their MBEs from the Queen. Whatever happens, the Beatles will be feeling happy.

They will at long last have taken delivery of their MBEs, despite all the controversy. And despite the protests by MBE holders, some of whom even sent their medals back. As Beatles man Malcolm Evans said: “If the Rolling Stones are awarded MBEs next year the Beatles will be sending THEIRS back!”

From Daily Mirror – October 25, 1965

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Going further

The Beatles Diary Volume 1: The Beatles Years

With greatly expanded text, this is the most revealing and frank personal 30-year chronicle of the group ever written. Insider Barry Miles covers the Beatles story from childhood to the break-up of the group.

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