"Although we didn’t believe in the Royal Family, you can’t help being impressed when you’re in the palace, when you know you’re standing in front of the Queen. It was like in a dream. It was beautiful. People were playing music, I was looking at the ceiling – not bad the ceiling. It was historical. It was like being in a museum."
John Lennon, 1970
The member of the Royal family most associated with the Beatles is Princess Margaret, who John Lennon referred to in one of his book as Priceless Margarine.
They arrived at the palace in John Lennon’s Rolls-Royce, watched by a crowd of 4,000 fans who were held back by police. Some fans climbed gates and lamp posts to get a better view.
John Lennon: She said to me, ‘Have you been working hard recently?’ And I couldn’t think what we’ve been doing, so I said, ‘No, we’ve been having a holiday,’ when actually we’ve been recording.
Paul McCartney: Then she said to me, ‘Have you been together long?’ and I said, ‘Yes, many years,’ and Ringo said, ‘Forty years,’ and she laughed.
George Harrison: She said, ‘It’s a pleasure giving it to you,’ but that’s what she said to everybody, and she put John’s on first.
On June 17, 2018 Sir Paul McCartney has been made a Companion of Honour in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.
On July 6, 1964 the Princess and Lord Snowdon attended the premier of 'A Hard Day's Night' at the London Pavilion. After the premier there was a private party The Princess and her entourage seemed to be enjoying themselves when George Harrison approached Walter Shenson, the film's producer and said, "When are we going to eat?" Shenson told him that they couldn't possibly eat until Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon had left. "Just be patient," he said. After another 15 minutes had elapsed, George walked up to the Princess and said, "Your Highness, we really are hungry and we can't eat until you two go."
"I see," said the Princess. "Well, in that case, we'd better run."
After the infamous show where Lennon asked to "rattle your jewelry." the Beatles were presented to the Queen Mother in the Royal lounge. She told them she'd enjoyed the show and asked them where they would be performing next. They told her, "Slough." "Ah," she said, delighted, "That's near us." I simply adore them."
Lennon returned his medal in November, 1969 with a letter accompanying saying, “Your Majesty, I am returning my MBE as a protest against Britain’s involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam and against Cold Turkey slipping down the charts. With Love, John Lennon.” Historians were calling for the medal to be put on public display.
“I am returning this MBE in protest against Britain’s involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam and against Cold Turkey slipping down the charts,” referring to the singer’s 1969 single. (John Lennon)
On Tuesday March 4, 1969, Princess Margaret made an unscheduled visit to Twickenham Film Studios to watch Ringo Starr and Peter Sellers during the filming of 'The Magic Christian." She remained on the set from 11am until 5pm. Other visitors to the set that day were Paul and Linda McCartney and Mary Hopkin. Paul and the Princess spent most of the afternoon in conversation together.
George went up to them and told them that he and Pattie had just been busted. "Oh my, what a shame," said the Princess. "Can you help us? Can you sort of use your influence to eliminate the bad news?" George asked. Princess Margaret seemed horrified at the suggestion, "Oh, I don't think so," she said.
They were then joined by Pattie's younger sister Paula, who took a joint out of her purse and lit it. When she noticed that everyone was staring at her she thought they were annoyed because she hadn't passed it round. She held it out to Princess Margaret and said, "Here, do you want this?" The Princess and Lord Snowdon fled the party.