[VIDEO] June 11, 1965 | Beatles Interviewed by ITN’s Richard Lindley

June 11, 1965 - Four gentlemen from Liverpool, previously known as the Beatles, were honored by Queen Elizabeth today as members of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

Until today, the Beatles had youth, fame, and riches but now they’ve got Social Order. What’s more, they’re entitled to wear around their necks a ribbon of rose pink satin lined with pearly grey silk. With those haircuts, what more could any bloke want?

All four Beatles — John Lennon, 24, Ringo Starr, 24, Paul McCartney, 22, and George Harrison, 22 — were included on the Queen’s birthday honors list. They are believed to be the first popular singers ever so honored and among the youngest entertainers of any kind. The honor is the lowest the crown can bestow but, viewed another way, it is also the first step toward knighthood.

The Beatles, who are now entitled to use the prestigious initials MB after their names (for Member of the Order of the British Empire), were surprised by the unexpected honor but not entirely speechless.

“It’s good to know we are some use,” mused Ringo.

Harrison said, “I didn’t think you got this sort of thing for playing rock and roll music.”Lennon concurred. “I thought you had to drive tanks and win wars and stuff,” he said.

All four agreed that the honor was “great” and “marvelous.”

And what does the average Britisher think of the Beatles, MBE? One elderly gentleman commented, “That’s a bit too much.”

MP Hector Dupuis commented: “British royalty has put me on the same level as a bunch of vulgar numbskulls.”

More significant, perhaps, was the reaction of a 16-year-old girl. “They’ve become respectable,” she scoffed, “and I don’t want anything more to do with them.”

Support this project at patreon.com/realtime1960s