Documents which recently surfaced revealed that George Harrison refused the Order of the British Empire (OBE) award before he died in 2001.

The Daily Mail reported that the documents they obtained show that the Beatles guitarist declined the OBE award after he was included in the New Year Honours List in 2000.

Such inclusion was suggested by the British Department of Culture, Media and Sport for his contribution in showbusiness. However, the citation did not highlight his "creative contribution to the Beatles' success," as it states, "He was a member of a band that many people would say is the best thing that Britain has ever produced, and possibly the best in the world, The Beatles."

According to Journalist Ray Connely, Harrison felt insulted over the OBE award where his fellow member Sir Paul McCartney has been granted knighthood back in 1997.

"Whoever it was who decided to offer him the OBE and not the knighthood was extraordinarily insensitive," Connely, who has been acquainted with the Beatles for a long time, said. "George would have felt insulted - and with very good reason."

As of press time, Sir Paul McCartney, Harrison's widow Olivia and son Dhani were unavailable to comment on the matter.

Harrison died of cancer in 2000. But a few days before the year 1999 ended, an intruder stabbed him inside his mansion, leaving him with lung and head injuries.

All four members of the Beatles received the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) award in 1965, but John Lennon returned his as a peace protest.

Singer Adele was the latest awardee of the MBE award, which she recently received from Prince Charles during a ceremony. She described the event as "very posh" and felt proud "to be awarded alongside such wonderful and inspirational people."