Video: 'The Beatles - London, UK; Arrival at Heathrow Airport [October 31, 1963]'

(Thursday, October 31, 1963, evening) — The Beatles touched down at London Airport this evening from Stockholm, greeted by 10,000 fans standing outside in spite of heavy rain.

The Beatles initially thought the fans were waiting to see the Queen, but soon realized the extent of their popularity back home.

Video: 'The Beatles Arriving Back In London After Tour Of Sweden - ITN News - 31 October 1963'

Many of the fans were wearing Beatle haircuts, and the screams were so loud that they drowned out the noise of the jet engines. National newspaper journalists, dozens of photographers and a BBC camera crew were also present to document The Beatles’ first major airport reception.

Also at the airport this day on a talent-spotting visit was American television host Ed Sullivan, who got in touch with the group’s manager and arranged a meeting in New York for the following week.

Video: 'The Beatles Departing Sweden At Arlanda Airport, Stockholm - Color Home Movie - 31 October 1963'

The Beatles’ 1963 tour of Sweden having been a triumph, the group took a morning flight from Arlanda International Airport, about 40 kilometres north of Stockholm.

Before they left Sweden, a fan filmed close-up silent color home movie footage of Paul with some girls and George, Ringo and John, first broadcast on the Swedish TV program “The Sixties” in September 2008.