Queen Elizabeth II has turned down a British tabloid’s ‘Oldie of the Year’ award saying “you are only as old as you feel”.
The Queen said that at 95 she did not meet the criteria.
The British publication The Oldie wrote to palace officials in July to ask if she would accept its Oldie.
But in a reply dated August 21, the monarch’s assistant private secretary, Tom Laing-Baker, made Elizabeth’s apologies.
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 further said.
“As such The Queen does not believe she meets the relevant criteria to be able to accept. She hopes you will find a more worthy recipient.
“This message comes to you with Her Majesty’s warmest best wishes.”
However, the media labelled the response as “cheeky” after saying that the Queen feels “too young at heart” to receive the accolade.
French-American actor and dancer Leslie Caron have received the 2021 award.
While the Queen and her late husband have both refused the award, the title was still afforded the royal stamp of approval.
Previous winners include former British Conservative Prime Minister John Major, British artist David Hockney, and Anglo-American actress Olivia de Havilland.