Queen Elizabeth does not see herself as a criterion for the “Oldie of the Year” award and appropriately declined the award. Prince Philip was also named Companion of the Year by Oldie magazine in 2011. The Queen may be 95 years old, but she is not yet ready to accept an “oldie”. She rejected this through a letter from her deputy private secretary, Tom Laing-Baker. She also shared this on the publication's Twitter profile.
Why Queen Elizabeth doesn't see herself as an oldie
The humorous award and annual awards ceremony (also known as TOOTY) recognizes older people who have made significant contributions to public life. In the letter addressed to Gyles Brandreth, who presented the prize, Laing-Baker praised the award. However, he also explained why the Queen did not quite fit the relevant criteria. He writes: “Your Majesty believes that you are as old as you feel. The Queen does not believe she meets the relevant criteria to accept the prize. “She hopes you will find a more worthy recipient,” the letter continues. “This message comes to you with Her Majesty’s best wishes.” Queen Elizabeth's response is a perfect fit for Oldie Magazine, which editor Harry Mount says is intended as "a free-thinking, funny magazine" and "a light-hearted alternative to a press obsessed with youth and celebrity."
Despite the royal family's reluctance to accept her prize, the queen's daughter-in-law, Camilla, acceptedthe Duchessof Cornwall, attended the magazine's awards on Tuesday. Camilla, 74, acknowledged the benefits of aging in her remarks. The oldies magazine clearly has a soft spot for the royal family. Queen Elizabeth's husband, Prince Phillip, who died in April at the age of 99, also accepted his award with finesse. He warmly accepted the award. The Queen, whose mother died in 2002 aged 101, will celebrate her astonishing 70 years on the throne with a platinum jubilee in 2022.
