The Queen has turned down the honour of being named ”Oldie of the Year”, declaring that age is a state of mind.
As her daughter in law, the Duchess of Cornwall, handed out the annual prizes honouring members of the older generation, it was revealed that Her Majesty had declined the top award at the ceremony.
Earlier this year, the magazine had written to The Queen asking if she would accept the title of ”Oldie of the Year” for 2020. Her Assistant Private Secretary, Tom Laing-Baker, replied ”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.”
The letter was dated July 30th 2021, three months after Her Majesty’s 95th birthday.
The title of Oldie of the Year went, instead, to the celebrated actress, Leslie Caron, who is now 90. Other awards included ‘non-resting actor of the year’, won by Bill Roache, who at 89 is still appearing as Ken Barlow in Coronation Street, and ”Oldie Crooner of the Year”, awarded to 91 year old Colin Thackeray, the Chelsea Pensioner who shot to fame on Britain’s Got Talent.
The Oldie magazine was founded almost thirty years ago to provide a humourous look at the world for older readers.
