A video press conference of John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono at Apple Corp., the Beatles' company headquarters at 3 Savile Row, London. The press conference was held after John returned his MBE to the Queen in protest against violence and war, especially Britain’s involvement in the Biafran War.

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, which includes the M.B.E. (Member of the Order of the British Empire), O.B.E. (Officer), and C.B.E. (Commander), was established by King George V (1865–1936) to recognise contributions in non-military roles during the First World War. The awards still remain widely respected, acknowledging achievements in various fields, including local community service and public life.

On 26 October 1965, all four members of The Beatles—John Lennon, Sir Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Sir Ringo Starr were awarded MBEs for "services to British industry" in recognition of their cultural and economic impact. However, on 25 November 1969, John Lennon returned his M.B.E. to Buckingham Palace in protest. In a letter addressed to Queen Elizabeth II, he cited Britain’s involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra conflict, its support for the Vietnam War, and the commercial decline of his song Cold Turkey. A copy of the letter was also sent to the Prime Minister, Harold Wilson.

Although Lennon returned the medal, he remained officially titled John Winston Ono Lennon MBE until his death on 8 December 1980. By protocol, returning an honour does not revoke it unless it is formally annulled by the monarch, which did not occur in Lennon's case. Meanwhile, Sir Paul McCartney was knighted in 1997, and Sir Ringo Starr received the same honour in 2018, further cementing the legacy of The Beatles.