Video: 'The Beatles Leaving London For Swedish Tour - ITN News - 23 October 1963'

(Wednesday, October 23, 1963, afternoon British Summer Time) — With the Beatles now making headlines across Great Britain, ITV News decided to send a camera crew to London Airport to cover their departure today to Sweden to begin the band’s tour on foreign soil.

This first “Beatle/air-port” footage of their career is relatively modest: just two quick shots of the group posing and waving good-bye from the airplane steps with not a single fan in view.

A group of 10-15 female fans were waiting when they arrived at Arlanda International Airport, about 40 kilometres north of Stockholm. The Beatles met them in the waiting area and gave autographs and had their photographs taken. Flowers were given to the group, which surprised them but were accepted gratefully.

The Beatles were given a police escort to the Hotel Continental opposite Stockholm Central Station, where fans camped outside in the hope of a glimpse. The Beatles’ room numbers at the Continental were 205, 206 (Neil Aspinall), 208, 209 (Paul McCartney) and 210.

A press conference was held at the hotel a few hours after The Beatles’ arrival.

That evening The Beatles visited the Nalen, a dance hall popular with Stockholm teenagers. That night it was celebrating its 75th anniversary, and a number of Swedish celebrities were also in attendance.

Ringo Starr drily described it as “a bit more elegant than the Cavern.”