Queen Elizabeth declines Oldie of the Year Award
Over her 95 years, the Queen has received many prestigious accolades.
But she is refusing to accept the Oldie of the Year award, saying she doesn't think she meets the criteria.
Her Majesty has "politely but firmly" turned down the award, which is given each year to celebrate the achievements of members of the older generations who have made a special contribution to public life.
She sent the organisers of the awards her "warmest best wishes", along with saying "you are as old as you feel".
Author and broadcaster Gyles Brandreth, who is chairman of the awards, wrote to the Queen's office inquiring if she would accept the award, with her platinum jubilee to be celebrated next year.
However, in a letter published in the November issue of the Oldie magazine, the Queen's assistant private secretary Tom Laing-Baker wrote, "Her Majesty believes you are as old as you feel, as such the Queen does not believe she meets the relevant criteria to be able to accept, and hopes you will find a more worthy recipient.”
In the end, the main Oldie of the Year award went to the French-American actor and dancer Leslie Caron, who at 90 is five years younger than the Queen.
The former England footballer Sir Geoff Hurst, 79, won the Oldie Golden Boot of the Year, while the celebrity cook and TV presenter Delia Smith, 80, was presented with the Truly Scrumptious Oldie award.
Gyles Brandreth was delighted to receive the letter from Balmoral Castle, writing, “Perhaps in the future we will sound out Her Majesty once more.”
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