Perhaps one of the most zeitgeist moments during “Beatlemania” came when The Beatles were invited to Buckingham Palace by Queen Elizabeth II to receive their Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) medals 53 years ago today (October 26.)

Of course, this moment did carry with it more than its share of controversy, as previous MBE recipients deemed the Fab Four unworthy of the honor. Then there was the story that the Beatles allegedly smoked marijuana in a Buckingham Palace bathroom to calm their nerves about meeting the Queen.

To the surprise of no one, however, where the Beatles went, so did their fans who waited en mass outside the palace gates to get a glimpse of the band.

Erica Banas is a rock/classic rock blogger that loves the smell of old vinyl in the morning.

• Medals For The Beatles

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  British rock group the Beatles hold a press reception at the Saville Theatre in London after each received an MBE at Buckingham Palace, 26th October 1965. From left to right, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, John Lennon, Ringo Starr. (Photo by Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

• The Beatles At The Palace

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  British rock group the Beatles after each received an MBE at Buckingham Palace in London, 26th October 1965. From left to right, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison. (Photo by William Vanderson/Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

• The Beatles

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  After being awarded M.B.E.s, the British pop group the Beatles, pause for a cigarette in the courtyard of Buckingham Palace, London, England, October 26, 1965. In the foreground are Paul McCartney (left) and George Harrison (1943 - 2001). Mostly obscured behind McCartney are Ringo Starr and John Lennon (1940 - 1980). (Photo by Express Newspapers/Getty Images)
• The Beatles

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  British pop group The Beatles talk to journalists at a press reception held at the Saville Theatre after their MBE Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, 26th October 1965. Their manager Brian Epstein stands on the left. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

• The Beatles

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  British pop group The Beatles, from left to right; Ringo Starr, John Lennon (1940 - 1980), Paul McCartney and George Harrison (1943 - 2001), outside Buckingham Palace, London, after receiving their MBEs (Member of the Order of the British Empire) from the Queen, 26th October 1965. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

• The Beatles

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  Police hold back a mass of young Beatles fans outside Buckingham Palace, London, where the pop group received MBE's, 26th October 1965. (Photo by Ted West/Roger Jackson/Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
• The Beatles

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  26th October 1965: Policemen holding back crowds of young fans of pop group The Beatles outside Buckingham Palace, London, where the band were awarded their MBE's (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II. (Photo by Reg Speller/Fox Photos/Getty Images)

• The Beatles

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  26th October 1965: British pop group The Beatles, from left to right; Ringo Starr, John Lennon (1940 - 1980), Paul McCartney and George Harrison (1943 - 2001), outside Buckingham Palace, London, after receiving their MBE's (Member of the Order of the British Empire) from the Queen. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)

• The Beatles

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  26th October 1965: British pop group The Beatles (left to right) George Harrison (1943 - 2001), Paul McCartney, John Lennon (1940 - 1980) and Ringo Starr, show off their MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) awards at a press reception at the Saville Theatre in London's Shaftsbury Avenue. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
• The Beatles

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  26th October 1965: Police hold back a mass of young Beatles fans outside Buckingham Palace, London, where the pop group received MBE's. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

• The Beatles

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  26th October 1965: Liverpudlian pop group The Beatles proudly display their MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) awards at a press reception held at the Saville Theatre after their Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

• The Beatles

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  26th October 1965: A group of fans of the pop group The Beatles clamour for a glimpse of their idols through a fence as the group leave manager Brian Epstein's house to receive their MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) awards from the Queen at Buckingham Palace. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
• The Beatles

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  26th October 1965: The Beatles proudly display their MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) awards outside Buckingham Palace, where they received them as part of the Queen's Birthday Honours List, for their services to British industry. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

• The Beatles

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  26th October 1965: Two obsessive female fans of pop group The Beatles, climb the gates of Buckingham Palace, where their idols are receiving MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) awards from the Queen. (Photo by Jim Gray/Keystone/Getty Images)

• The Beatles

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  26th October 1965: The Beatles proudly show off their MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) awards at a press reception held at the Saville Theatre, after an Investiture at Buckingham Palace, London. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)
• The Beatles

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  26th October 1965: British pop group The Beatles, from left to right; Ringo Starr, John Lennon (1940 - 1980), Paul McCartney and George Harrison (1943 - 2001), outside Buckingham Palace, London, after receiving their MBEs (Member of the Order of the British Empire) from the Queen. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

• The Beatles

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  26th October 1965: British pop group The Beatles, from left to right; Ringo Starr, John Lennon (1940 - 1980), Paul McCartney and George Harrison (1943 - 2001), outside Buckingham Palace, London, after receiving their MBE's (Member of the Order of the British Empire) from the Queen. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)

• The Beatles

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  26th October 1965: British pop group The Beatles, from left to right; Ringo Starr, John Lennon (1940 - 1980), Paul McCartney and George Harrison (1943 - 2001), outside Buckingham Palace, London, after receiving their MBE's (Member of the Order of the British Empire) from the Queen. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)
• The Beatles

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  26th October 1965: Liverpudlian pop group The Beatles with their MBEs at Buckingham Palace in London after their investiture ceremony. (Photo by George Freston/Fox Photos/Getty Images)

• The Beatles

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  26th October 1965: British 1960's rock band the Beatles holding their MBEs after an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London. From left to right - John Lennon (1940 - 1980), Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison (1943 - 2001). (Photo by George Freston/Fox Photos/Getty Images)

• The Beatles

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  26th October 1965: Beatles fans outside Buckingham Palace before the band were awarded the MBE (Member of the British Empire). (Photo by Larry Ellis/Express/Getty Images)
• The Beatles

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  26th October 1965: A fan of the Beatles outside Buckingham Palace before the band were awarded the MBE (Member of the British Empire). (Photo by Larry Ellis/Express/Getty Images)

• The Beatles

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  Police keeping back a crowd of young fans outside Buckingham Palace, London, as pop group the Beatles receive their MBEs. (Photo by Ted West/Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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