Queen Elizabeth Turns Down Old-Age Award
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Britain's Queen Elizabeth II turns down an award celebrating the elderly, saying that she did not meet the criteria.
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The Queen does not believe she meets the criteria to receive the old-age award, said her assistant.
Queen Elizabeth II turned down a prize celebrating the elderly, justifying that at 95 she did not meet the criteria, The Oldie magazine said on Tuesday.
The magazine wrote to palace officials in July to ask if the Queen would accept its Oldie of the Year award, which was previously given to her late husband and her own mother.
In response, Tom Laing-Baker, the monarch's assistant private secretary, apologized on the behalf of the Queen.
"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," he added.
As a result, the award, which celebrates the achievements of older people, went to the French-American actress and dancer Leslie Caron, who is 90-years-old.
The Queen succeeded her father King George VI in 1952 and will celebrate next year her Platinum Jubilee to mark 70 years on the throne.
