Queen Elizabeth II has rejected a British tabloid’s ‘Oldie of the Year’ award saying “you are only as old as you feel”.
The 95-year-old monarch was offered the title by British publication The Oldie but has declined it claiming she does not meet the criteria.
The British publication has been running the ‘Oldie of the Year’ contest since the magazine was first launched in 1992.
Awards chairman Gyles Brandreth wrote to the Queen’s private secretary in July asking if she would accept the award.
The response from the Queen came in August and has been published in the magazine’s latest publication.
Private Secretary Tom Laing-Baker laid out the reasons the monarch had decided to decline the honour.
“Her Majesty believes you are as old as you feel,” he said.
“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.
“This message comes to you with Her Majesty’s warmest best wishes.”
The response has been labelled “cheeky” by some in the media who say the Queen feels “too young at heart” to receive the accolade.
Mr Brandreth said in 2019 that “to win an Oldie of the Year award, you can’t simply be an elderly achiever: you also need to show that you still have ‘snap in your celery.’”
Prince Philip, the Queen’s husband who died aged 99 in April this year was offered the award in 2011 but turned it down.
At the time he jokingly told the tabloid it was “nice to be remembered at all” in a letter he wrote in 2011.
“I much appreciate your invitation to receive an Oldie of the Year award,” he said.
“There is nothing like it for morale to be reminded that the years are passing – ever more quickly – and that bits are beginning to drop off the ancient frame. But it is nice to be remembered at all.”
The 2021 award was given to French-American actor and dancer Leslie Caron, who was presented the award by the Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
While the Queen and her late husband have both refused the award, the title was still afforded the royal stamp of approval.
Oscar-winning actors, Nobel Laureates and the Queen’s mother have been included among the recipients of ‘Oldie of the Year’ award.
Queen Elizabeth II is the longest serving British monarch in history with her reign spanning almost seven decades.
