On this day in 1969, John Lennon returned his MBE

November 26, 2024

Receiving an MBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) is an award many people would see as a great achievement and honour. John Lennon, however, was not one of these people, and returned his MBE on four years after he received it in 1965.

The Beatles were awarded medals by Queen Elizabeth II at a ceremony held at Buckingham Palace. The MBEs acknowledged the band’s impact: their sound had captivated audiences worldwide, sparking the "Beatlemania" phenomenon. Receiving MBEs marked the band's global success.

Of the Fab Four, only John Lennon returned his MBE – four years after it was awarded. This was reportedly an act of protest at British involvement in Biafra, as well as the American involvement in Vietnam.

John Lennon is not the only notable person to turn down titles. Stephen Hawking did the same in the 90s, as did both David Bowie and Benjamin Zephaniah in 2003. Their reasons for doing so are many and varied.

As for the other three Beatles, they retained their MBEs, but even without these awards, the Beatles legacy remains. If you’re a Beatles fan, why not check out our Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite print?